By Max Sullivan
Portsmouth Herald
NORTH HAMPTON, N.H.— A golden retriever named Emmett was rescued by firefighters Wednesday from his owner’s frozen backyard pond.
The 3-year-old dog was rushed to an animal hospital in North Hampton to be treated for hypothermia and has since been released to his owners, Kacey and Mark Eddinger. He fell into the pond shortly before 10 a.m. The Eddingers called 911 at 9:48 a.m.
“He seems to be fine, which is miraculous,” said Mark Eddinger.
The Eddingers went outside to look for Emmett after they realized he had gone outside. They heard him howling and found him clinging to the edge of the ice, attempting to keep his head above water. Kacey Eddinger said Emmett may have been in the pond for 10 minutes before firefighters arrived.
The Eddingers’ toddler son, Oliver, cried and screamed “Memmett,” his name for Emmett, as Kacey Eddinger attempted to wade into the pond to help the dog. She had to turn back because the water was too cold.
“I still can’t really feel my legs or my feet,” Kacey Eddinger said after the rescue, “So I can imagine how he’s feeling after being in there for that amount of time.”
Firefighters donned ice rescue suits to get to Emmett, and firefighter Will Taber went across the ice and into the water with a tethered line, allowing other firefighters to pull him in once he secured the dog. It took about six minutes to get Emmett out of the pond.
North Hampton Fire Deputy Chief Jason Lajoie said firefighters arrived just in time, as Emmett was exhausted and about to fall in.
The Eddingers have had Emmett since he was a puppy, and Kacey Eddinger said he is still rambunctious and energetic like a young dog. All members of the family are close to Emmett, she said, and “Memmett” was the first word Oliver learned to say. When Emmett was hospitalized Wednesday, Mark Eddinger brought Emmett a blanket and his favorite toy stuffed animal for comfort.
Kacey Eddinger said she was amazed at how quickly firefighters worked, saying she was grateful for their help.
“I saw them instantly run as fast as they could. One guy just had (Emmett) completely over his shoulder,” she said. “It was amazing.”
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