This dog sure doesn't have 9 lives like a cat, but it does have two that we can count on. I would like to commend the Tinley Park Fire Department for a job well done today with their rescue efforts on the dog named “ICE”. This large but not timid Rottweiler with no collar and leash was strolling in the middle of 183rd St. just west of 80th Ave near a small retention pond. The dog was alert and a bit skinny but otherwise uninjured. I contacted the Tinley Park Police Department and asked them for assistance with “ICE” so he would not get hit by a passing vehicle. I stopped and waited for the Officer to arrive , when he did arrive the was scared and continued to walk closer and closer to the edge of the frozen pond. “ICE” then took a running start from the shoreline and then launched himself onto the frozen pond, where he continued to try and cross while struggling to keep his legs from slipping out from under him. I started calling for the dog so he would start coming back towards the shoreline. And then it happened, the dog fell thru the ice in the middle of the frozen pond and is clawing and fighting to stay above the water. By this time I can hear some sirens in the distance heading our way, but I am unsure if they were for “ICE” or not. I am still trying to call the dog over while my daughter Samantha is crying because the dogs head had dipped under the water level. When I turned around I see multiple fire trucks, pick up truck with a boat attached, ambulances. It was a relief to see. If the firemen were dog lovers or not, these firemen cam together to save this animals life in the freezing temperatures. As the dog is yelping and is clinging on with his paws to stay above the water, these firemen launched a boat and were on the way towards the dog while braking thru the ice in there path. Tinley Fire finally recovered this dog, when they reached the shore they covered it with blankets and then transferred it to a police car that had the heat cranked up. This is not my dog, but if it was I would be more then thankful to the Tinley Park Fire Department for doing such a great job when time mattered the most. Great job in the rescue of the dog nicknamed “ICE”
Frank LaRocca
T
