A puppy that was lost at sea for five weeks was discovered and rescued by the Navy. The dog was “presumed dead” after her prolonged absence. However, described as a powerful swimmer, the 1-year-old German Shepherd swam to an island in the Pacific Ocean and survived the ordeal of getting separated from her person.
A puppy named Luna that had fallen overboard has been rescued after disappearing for five weeks. She was presumed dead, but, in fact, had managed to reach an island in the Pacific Ocean that housed a naval base. The 1-year-old German Shepherd-husky mix puppy with mesmerizing blue eyes fell off a fishing boat in the Pacific Ocean north of San Diego.
Lost miles from land, the owner was beside himself with grief but hoped that Luna would somehow survive. His hopes were hinged on the fact that the puppy was an excellent and strong swimmer. Sure enough, the dog had managed to survive. She was spotted Tuesday, a good five weeks after she was reported missing by staffers arriving for work at the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field on San Clemente Island, a Navy-owned training base 70 miles off San Diego, reported Fox News .
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Luna was reported missing on February 10. That day, her owner, Nick Haworth, was fishing about two miles from the island from where she was eventually picked up.
Speaking about the amazing survival story of a 1-year-old puppy lost at sea, Sandy DeMunnik, the public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy’s Naval Base Coronado, said, “They were pulling in their (lobster) traps, and one minute Luna was there, and the next minute she was gone. They looked everywhere for her. They couldn’t see her. The water was dark, and she’s dark.”
It isn’t clear how the little puppy fell overboard. However, the bereaved owner frantically attempted to search for Luna. Knowing that she was a powerful swimmer, he was confident the dog wouldn’t give up and would attempt to find land, continued DeMunnik.
“He insisted that he was 90 percent sure that she made it to shore because she was such a strong swimmer. So our staff searched the island, but with no luck. He stayed in the area for two more days to look for her, and after a week, we considered her lost at sea and presumed dead.”
It was truly a sad time for all those who knew Luna. Known to be a very friendly dog, the German Shepherd was loved by all. A playful dog with keen instincts, the puppy was a great companion to have on a fishing trip, despite the dangers involved. A fishing boat catching lobsters is a very dangerous place to be. Only the toughest of fishermen brave the seas to catch the prized species. Owing to the risks involved, lobsters are always priced at a premium. However, Luna’s owner would have traded his catch for his beloved dog any day.
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Interestingly, Luna turned up unexpectedly to greet Navy staff arriving on the island for work, reported ABC News . Since no domesticated animals are allowed on the base, it was a strange sight for staffers to be greeted by a puppy eagerly wagging her tail in excitement, added DeMunnik.
“They saw Luna just sitting on the side of the road wagging her tail. Keep in mind, there are no domesticated animals on the island, so it was a stunning sight.”
The Navy quickly traced Luna’s owners and preparations were made for reuniting her with her owner, who is ecstatic. The German shepherd puppy has been examined by a wildlife biologist for the San Diego Zoo, who has given the perky dog a clean bill of health.
“It looks like she’d been surviving off of mice for the past few weeks,” observed DeMunnik.
Survival of a domesticated animal is difficult, but the story of the puppy that was lost at sea for five weeks is “incredibly remarkable,” she said, reported NPR .
[Photo by Nick Haworth via Facebook ]
