A UPS driver has recently grabbed the nation’s attention over his heroic actions to help save a dog.
Ryan Arens, from Bozeman, Montana, was going about his workday just like any other day. While on his route, the young UPS driver approached a home to deliver a package when he heard sounds of distress. It was a dog.
“This dog was screaming and crying and going crazy,” he told Great Falls Tribune.
The sun was setting, so the light was quickly fading from the day. He looked around to see if he could hear where the noises were coming from, but he couldn’t see anything.
Arens finished delivering the package and decided to drive to the other side of the pond to see if he could find the source of the distressing sounds.
Once he was on the other side, that’s when Arens noticed a dog fighting for their life in the frigid, icy water. It wasn’t going to survive much longer if someone didn’t save them.
“I could see the dog trapped about 10-15 feet off of shore, with ice all around it,” he said.
Arens also happened to notice an older gentleman in a rowboat trying to chip away the ice to reach the dog – however, he was having little success in doing so. This is when Arens knew that he couldn’t just stand by and watch this poor dog drown.
Instinct kicked in, and soon, the UPS drive found himself half-naked in the cold water.
“I stripped to my boxers and got the guy out of the boat. Then, I slid the boat out onto the ice, using it to distribute my weight,” Arens said. “I shimmied out to where the ice was thin.”
Making his way out on the icy pond, the ice gave way and boat crashed into the 16-foot-deep water, throwing Arens into the water as well. The brave driver figured that since he was already wet – he might as well swim out to the desperate dog.
“She was starting to go under,” he recalled.
Arens reached out and grabbed the terrified dog’s collar and swam her back to the thicker ice. Once they reached ice thick enough to hold their weight, Arens slid the dog across, to push her to shore. Once he knew she was safely on land, the hero UPS driver lifted himself out of the water and into safety.
Bystanders had caught onto the commotion and were waiting for both Arens and the dog with dry, warm blankets.
“We took the dog inside the older guy’s house and got in the shower together to warm up,” he said.
Even though the dog was out of the water – she wasn’t out of danger yet. She had been in the freezing water for quite some time.
At this point, animal control and the sheriff’s department had arrived. They called for help because the dog was in bad shape – she needed to receive help immediately or she wasn’t going to survive.
“I knew someone had to get to her. She wasn’t going to make it.”
Soon, the dog was taken away to receive medical attention, and Arens had to get back to his scheduled route. Despite jumping in freezing cold water and receiving a cut to the leg – Arens finished delivering 20 more packages.
“Animals are my weakness,” he said. “It was the highlight of my 14-year UPS career.”
The heroic act of jumping into an icy bond was second nature to Arens. He would have done the same for his dog, a 14.5-year-old Malamute/Shepherd mix who he loves dearly.
A few days passed and Arens found out where the owners of the dog lived – and he happened to have a package that needed to be delivered to them. When he walked up to the house – he saw the dog and learned that her name was Sadie.
When Arens walked up to the house, he saw Sadie in the back of the pickup out front and she immediately recognized her hero.
“She was freaking out, and when he let her out she ran to me,” he said. “She must have remembered me. It sure made me feel good.”
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Knowing that Sadie was safe, sound, and doing better than ever made Aren’s heart full. She’s a 2.5-year-old wirehaired pointing griffon that still has so many adventure-filled years ahead of her.
“This dog had a whole lot of life left in her, and I’m really glad I was able to act when I did. She’s a sweetheart.”
We’re so thankful that this UPS driver was there to jump into action to save this gorgeous dog. Check out another similar story of an icy rescue in the video below.
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