MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WTVF) — During last week's winter storms we saw our fair share of cold water rescues. Some, sadly, with deadly results. But there was one very close call in Murfreesboro that came with a very happy ending.
Would you take a polar plunge to save a beloved pet? In this case, it happened in a frozen backyard swimming pool.
"You can see him go in right here," said Jennie Tatum.
Backyard security video shows her dog Sid is running around the ice-covered swimming pool when he takes a dive.
That's when Tatum, his owner, watching nearby runs to the rescue. She starts breaking through the two-inch-thick ice and then jumps into the pool looking for Sid, but can't find him.
"It was pure adrenaline. I was not thinking about being cold," said Tatum.
So, she gets out hoping for a better look across the pool.
"I knew he went in there, so I get up and see him from above," she said.
Tatum again jumps back into the freezing water and this time pulls the now barely-conscious dog out of the pool.
"He's about 50 pounds," said Tatum. "All I could think about was to get him into the house and to get him warm."
Sid was submerged for more than a 60 seconds.
"I don't think this dog had another minute based on his symptoms," said veterinarian April Smith.
She said Sid likely held his breath part of the time but still needed oxygen to revive him.
Smith says Tatum saved his life.
"You notice he just sunk and he would not have stood a chance without her. He wouldn't have a chance." Tatum says she's no hero and would have jumped in after anyone's pet.
Sid was lucky. He's fully recovered and is chewing his toys and avoiding the pool at all costs. The Tatums say they don't have a pool cover because they keep the pool open all year.
It so happens a pump went out to prevent ice -- and was set to be fixed -- just before the storm hit. Sid's family made the video public as yet another cautionary tale on the dangers of ice on water.
