Kansas dog loves chasing backyard bunnies, then gently lifts one from the pool

What happens when a dog known for chasing backyard bunnies suddenly finds one in real danger?

For one Kansas family, that question led to an unexpectedly gentle rescue after a small rabbit fell into a backyard pool and Kansas resident Michelle Owens' dog, Carley Mae, came to its rescue.

Here's what to know

In Michelle Owens' Kansas yard, a family of rabbits often stops by around sunrise and near sundown. Carley Mae is often excited to watch the bunnies from the window and tries to chase them when she can.

"She is very sweet," Owens told The Dodo. "She watches [the bunnies] from the window and sometimes likes to chase them if she gets a chance."

According to The Dodo, the rescue happened while Owens was away from home and a friend was checking on things. After letting Carley Mae into the yard, the friend realized the dog's attention was fixed on the pool, where a small bunny was stuck in the water.

Owens later reviewed the pool camera footage shared on Facebook, which showed Carley Mae moving beside the rabbit along the edge while the friend went to get a pool scoop. Before using the scoop, Carley Mae gently lifted the bunny out herself, and it ran away.

More background

Thanks to this helpful pup, the rabbit was still alive in the yard after the ordeal.

Carley Mae's reward was well deserved for a dog that turned a dangerous moment into a rescue. After Owens saw the footage, she said, "She got an extra treat, praise and a good belly rub."

The TCD Guide's page on taking local action includes simple ways to help protect wildlife close to home.

Where can I learn more?

Carley Mae's rescue touches on a few familiar backyard themes: wildlife, pets, and the risks pools can pose. Related coverage ranges from neighborhood fights over rabbits to dramatic water rescues and other surprising pool encounters involving wild animals.

• Residents pushed back when their HOA considered trapping and killing bunny rabbits in the neighborhood.

• Rescuers pulled a coyote from a slippery pond as drought strained natural water sources.

• Homeowners watched a mama bear and cub take a dip in their backyard pool.

• In one neighborhood, a deputy dealt with a wild animal emerging from a pool.

• In Florida, a dog earned attention for hunting down one of the state's invasive iguanas.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.