Blind old Teddy the dog rescued from water-filled ditch

A blind and deaf family dog was saved by Richmond police and firefighters after nearly drowning in a water-filled ditch just before Christmas.

Teddy, a 17-year-old Border Pomeranian, woke up his 78-year-old owner, Anne Hudson, early on Dec. 23.

As per their routine, she let out Teddy for his morning bathroom break but became distracted and lost track of him.

Hudson combed the cul-de-sac on which she lived and scoured the neighbouring streets for more than an hour, but couldn’t locate Teddy.

“She couldn’t call out to him as in addition to being blind, Teddy is deaf,” said RCMP Cpl. Sherrdean Turley in a press release.

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Finally, Hudson heard what sounded like her dog barking, which was a surprise.

“I heard a dog bark but Teddy seldom has reason to bark, so I didn’t think it was him,” said Hudson. “I began following the sound of his barks and found him deeply stuck in the water-filled ditch.”

She called 911 around 6:30 a.m. and Richmond RCMP arrived soon after.

Const. Eric Chan tried to pull Teddy from the ditch “but it was too slippery and I couldn’t get my footing,” he explained. “I knew someone would have to get down into the water with Teddy so I called the fire department to see if they could help.”

Firefighters Mark Smith and Freddie Klomp donned dry suits and waded into the ditch. The old dog was pulled to safety, hypothermic but otherwise uninjured.

They took Teddy back to Hudson’s house and gave him a warm bath and shampoo, then towel-dried him and let him recover in front of the fireplace.

The rescuers went back to Hudson’s home on Thursday to check in on Teddy, and found him resting comfortably at Hudson’s side.

“I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the help you extended to me and my dog,” Hudson told her police and firefighter heroes.

“I have never met more dedicated men as I did that night. You were all so kind, loving and concerned for my precious dog, and you did more than anyone could expect or hope for.”