Dog ownership is incredibly rewarding, but it certainly comes with its challenges. Training your furry friend requires time and effort, and sometimes, you just have to embrace their quirky behaviors—be it a Husky’s dramatic antics, a Corgi’s loud barking, a Chi’s commanding personality, or a Hound’s escape artistry.
The owners of Molly, a pink-haired toy Poodle, experienced this firsthand when their tiny dog escaped and went on an unexpected adventure that could have ended tragically. Fortunately, two dedicated rescue teams in New Jersey sprang into action!
Molly Refused Help
Worried about their beloved pet, Molly’s family immediately contacted the Garfield Police Department in New Jersey and shared photos of her. The department posted the images on Instagram, hoping the community could help. Their plea quickly bore fruit when a kind passerby reported seeing Molly near the Passaic River.
The police quickly deployed a rescue team to the scene, but capturing the elusive Poodle proved to be a real challenge. According to GPD’s Instagram post, “After searching, they eventually located the pink poodle but faced difficulties in capturing the dog, as Molly eluded them several times on the riverbank.”
As the rescue efforts progressed, Molly surprised everyone by jumping into the frigid river and swimming nearly the length of a football field. She eventually found a small island on the Clifton side, complicating the rescuers’ efforts further.
To reach Molly, they called for assistance from the Clifton Fire Department. The rescue mission became significantly easier with the arrival of additional resources. After a grueling four hours, utilizing two boats, eight firefighters, and a thermal camera that ultimately spotted Molly due to her distinctive pink coat, she was safely retrieved from the island, albeit cold and shivering.
“At approximately 6:38 p.m., a Clifton firefighter found Molly, cold but unharmed, on the island. With the assistance of the Clifton Animal Control, the determined poodle was safely returned to the Garfield side of the river and was reunited with her relieved owner,” reported the Police Department.
Finally Returned To Her Family
Though Molly is generally a happy-go-lucky dog, her daring swim surprised even her own family; Sandra Caltradrone, her previous owner who participated in the rescue, was astonished to discover Molly’s adventurous spirit. “Apparently, she’s in the Olympics,” Sandra joked with ABC7 News.
What matters most is that Molly was safely returned to her grateful owners, who can now breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks to the compassionate rescuers, Molly can resume her normal life, ideally steering clear of such escapades in the future.
