I am writing this letter in sincere gratitude for the tireless and heroic efforts that assisted in Tillys rescue from the icy waters of the Nechako at Cottonwood Park on the afternoon of Dec. 9th, 2014.
That unusual warm day I took my son, our dog and our friends dog that we take care of while her mom is away working to Cottonwood for our first time - we just moved to Prince George two weeks ago. Aas we neared the river, I turned my back for a split second to help my son and Tilly (four-year-old blue heeler) decided to take herself for a swim and jumped right into the river! As you can imagine I panicked and set out screaming for anyone to help as she could not get back up due to a ice shelf along the length of the shore and was quickly being pulled downstream, I truly feared the worse.
A gentlemen who heard my cries tried to retrieve Tilly as I had done but the ice shelf was far too risky and despite Tillys attempts to swim against the current, she was swept away. I continued screaming for help and a young lady with two dogs made the emergency call. In the meantime, the gentleman suggested that we try to find her near the underpass, so we set off to try to locate her, after several attempts to locate her along the enormity of the Fraser and Nechako confluence, in despair I returned to Cottonwood and intercepted the Fire Rescue Crew.
They informed me that they had located a dog on the opposite shore with their binoculars. In an wave of relief and hope I identified it as Tilly, so another plan of action was instigated and we set off to the other side by the pulp mill to see if we could reach her. However, once there the Fire and Rescue team spotted Tilly swimming back over to Cottonwood Park again. On our return to Cottonwood the Fire Rescue Chief handed the case over to the Animal Control team and we could see Tilly bravely sitting on the ice on the other side, I called to her and once again she set out swimming back across (fourth time by now). Animal Control Officer Rachel Morey quickly got to the rivers edge and heroically stepped out onto the thin ice ledge, lassoed Tilly and pulled her to safety. The heroes in this story are both Tilly for being resourceful, determined and a strong swimmer and Rachel Morey for her incredible bravery.
It is with a huge bouquet of gratitude to the fine Prince George Fire Rescue Chief and Crew for locating Tilly, and all your efforts and support during this ordeal, and Animal Control Team Officer Rachel Morey, who in the end heroically saved Tillys life by risking her own.
I would also like to thank the gentleman who attempted to save Tilly and drove along the shores searching for her- I have no idea what his name is as we got separated- if anyone has heard from him please let me know.
I would also like to thank the young woman with the two dogs who made the call to Fire Rescue and got help sent on its way, if someone has her contact, please send it my way. On behalf of Tilly's mom, Twyla Owen and myself, we are so grateful for this happy ending!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Melanie Bilodeau
Prince George
