Overboard Willie Plucked From Bay (poor Wee Willie!)

[Boronia]

http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/news/loc...ay/1933675.aspx

Overboard Willie plucked from bay

DANI VOLKE

06 Sep, 2010 12:00 AM

A SEVEN-month-old West Highland terrier is lucky to be alive after going overboard from a ferry travelling from Cleveland to North Stradbroke Island.

Willie, who wandered away from his family's car as they headed to Point Lookout on Saturday, was rescued, tired and exhausted, wading near a mudbank.

Willie's owner, JP Shelburn, said he had let the dog out of the car to have a drink of water, but within seconds he was gone.

"I turned around after getting our second dog, Clinton, out of the car and he [Willie] wasn't there. I started looking under cars and then I told the skipper that I thought our dog had gone overboard," Mr Shelburn said.

Mr Shelburn said the master of the 12.30pm ferry had made an announcement to other vessels to keep an eye out for a Willie.

"The ferry was turned around and we spotted Willie swimming in the channels and he had made it to a mudflat. He would have been in the water on his own for about 50 minutes," Mr Shelburn said.

"He was spotted by one of the water taxis and the master of the ferry authorised me to put on a life-jacket and swim out to get him.

"When we got back on the boat everyone was cheering and wanted a photo with him and I shouted everyone a beer.

"He was definitely scared and shaken."

Mr Shelburn said Willie was an adventurous dog.

Stradbroke Island Ferries Chief Executive Officer David Thomson said the rescue had been handled well.

"It is quite a big deal to turn a boat around and we empower our skippers to make on the spot decisions like these," he said.

"Master of the boat on the day, Bob Francis, coordinated the crew to do the right thing. The customers understood the situation and the reason for the delays, which were about 15 to 20 minutes," Mr Thomson said.

A passenger on the ferry, Shane McDermott of Wellington Point, said he had been taking visitors from Victoria over to Straddie when Willie went overboard.

"It was a heart-warming experience and we thought it was a great effort by the crew," Mr McDermott said.

[Cheyd]

Great they turned around for him, Lucky little doggie

[Alyosha]

What a great Skipper! Going above and beyond.

[GeckoTree]

Yay a good news story! Good on the skipper.

[PaddyForever]

Jolly lucky for Willie that they spotted him! Bit silly of the owner to put him down on a ferry without a lead on- but we all make silly mistakes, I guess. I wouldn't dare do that with my dogs, though! But then again, I own a Golden Retriever and a Gordon Setter, and they'd be in the water in a second. And my Frenchie would dive in after them- and sink to the bottom!!!

[mona]

So nice to read a good news story

Willy is one lucky pooch - I'm sure he is being spoiled rotten by his grateful owners

[Staranais]

With a title like that, I just had to read it!

[Boronia]

With a title like that, I just had to read it!

Hahahaha Staranais, I didn't even think the title was odd until I saw your post...now that I keep looking at it....it is positively risqué....I keep picturing the Willies in the Moreton Bay

[spottychick]

Awwww I love that pic of him with his mate getting warmed up Too cute

[frufru]

That is one very lucky Willy! Hopefully his owner has learnt not to free Willy without a lead in future!!!. :) :D

Edited September 9, 2010 by frufru