In early November, a fishing trip for Bryant Fritz turned into an unexpected rescue mission when he discovered a puppy in dire need of help.
Fritz, a middle school science teacher at Next Generation School in Champaign, Illinois, stumbled upon the puppy, named Dory, while preparing to fish at Kaufman Lake.
The sight was distressing: Dory, a black and white female puppy, was trapped in a dog crate that had been discarded in the lake. Her head was barely above the freezing water.
As a lifelong dog lover, Fritz did not hesitate. He quickly removed some of his clothing and bravely entered the icy lake to save the distressed animal.
Recalling the moment, Fritz said, “It was around 3 pm when I spotted the dog in the lake. Part of the crate was visible above the water, with Dory’s head just above the surface.”
Without a second thought, he decided to venture into the cold water. Despite the wintry chill, Fritz waded 15 to 20 yards into the lake to reach Dory.
Once he pulled her ashore, he realized the severity of her condition. “There was blood everywhere, and she was missing fur on her back. The bottom of her paws were in poor shape,” Fritz described.
Clearly a young puppy, weighing between 15 to 20 pounds, Dory was shivering intensely, her eyes shut in distress.
Understanding the urgency, Fritz immediately contacted the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital for emergency treatment. On his way, he stopped at home to wrap Dory in a blanket, hoping to warm her up as much as possible.
According to Chris Beuoy, spokeswoman for the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Dory is responding well to treatment for hypothermia. The veterinary team also treated her wounds and administered antibiotics and pain medication.
Beuoy mentioned that although further care for her wounds was uncertain, Dory received additional treatment the following Sunday.
Fritz is hopeful that once Champaign County Animal Control takes custody of Dory, he will be able to adopt her.
Reflecting on his connection to the puppy, Fritz said, “As I filled out the paperwork at the hospital, I realized I wanted this dog to be a part of my life.
My girlfriend Krystal and I decided that if everything worked out, we would name her Dory after the character from Finding Nemo. Just like Dory, ‘she didn’t quit in that water.’”
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