It was a warm and, now, fluffy reunion at a Fairfax County, Virginia, fire station Friday as a family gathered to thank firefighters for saving their beloved St. Bernard.
Milo was with his family in Fairfax Station on Friday as they went tubing in the early snow of what would become the historic Blizzard of 2016. While they were out, Milo ran out onto a frozen lake and fell through the ice.
Yolanda Wortman had to hold her husband back from following Milo onto the ice of Woodglen Lake, knowing that the family might face rescuing them both.
“Man when it first happened, your heart just sank," said Mark Wortman.
Video of Crews Rescuing Saint Bernard from Ice Covered Lake 01/22/16
Posted by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department on Friday, January 22, 2016
The family anxiously waited for Fairfax County firefighters, among them, master technician David Busch. Busch suited up and jumped in.
“I got in behind him," Busch said. "Luckily the depth of the water helped us. It was only about chest level.”
Within minutes, crews had Milo out and into a warm ambulance.
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“He hopped right out and was very cooperative -- no bite marks or scratches," Busch said.
Milo has recovered and the family is grateful. PETA recognized the firefighters of both Fairfax County and Fairfax City -- and sent Milo a bag of toys.
“We came really close to losing him, we know we did," Yolanda Wortman said. "So thank you guys!"
