An outing on the Mid Wales shore turned into an emergency when Jack the spaniel got loose and headed into the sea.
New Quay RNLI volunteers, having only just finished a day of training, were quickly sent back out to help, as County Times reported.
Here's what to know
The organization shared in a Facebook post that at about 5:47 p.m., a 999 report alerted New Quay RNLI that a dog had broken free on Aberarth beach and gone into the water.
The volunteers had already recovered and readied the inshore lifeboat after training when their pagers went off again, prompting a relaunch. They reached the area in around 15 minutes.
Rescuers then found Jack swimming along the coast toward Aberaeron, and he was tiring by that stage. That made the rescue straightforward.
"Jack was obviously cold and tired by this point and gladly accepted a lift back to the beach, where he was reunited with his owners," the rescuers wrote in the post.
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More background
A dog in trouble can quickly create danger for people as well, especially if owners or bystanders feel tempted to rush into the water after a pet.
For that reason, it's best to leave the rescue to specialized crews when possible. That's especially true when challenging conditions like rip currents come into play.
The crew also noted that animal rescues can be unpredictable, due to the specifics of their vessels.
"When we rescue dogs, they're often very wary of bright orange boats and start swimming away," New Quay RNLI shared. In a response to a commenter who asked what they do in that scenario, the organization wrote that they work to "just be patient and reassure" the animals in distress.
Fortunately, that wasn't necessary here, as Jack was fatigued from his swimming foray and welcomed the rescuers.
Even a relatively small animal emergency can become complicated in open water, and every extra minute adds to stress levels for families and rescuers alike. This callout ended with Jack safely back on shore and reunited with his owners.
What can be done?
The organization's advice is clear. If a person or an animal seems to be in danger at the coast or offshore, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Pet owners can also reduce risk by keeping a firm hold on leads near the shoreline and staying alert in unfamiliar coastal areas, where waves, currents, and excitement can cause animals to bolt unexpectedly.
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