A Cry from the Canal
Four wet paws slipped against the flat surface of a concrete boulder surrounded by rushing runoff. The small golden retriever puppy lifted its snout toward the overcast sky and let out a sharp bark.
Water churned around the stone, splashing foaming grey ripples across the animal’s soaked yellow fur. On the sidewalk above, a man in a green shirt stopped walking and turned his head toward the storm channel.
He pressed his palms against the concrete barrier and leaned forward. He waved his right arm toward traffic, shouting across the road to get the attention of nearby pedestrians.
Within seconds, a group of passersby crossed the asphalt and gathered along the upper ledge. Several people peered down the steep, slick slope where the puppy remained perched in the center of the current.
Forming the Line
The man in green pointed toward the water line and gestured with both hands to organize the group. He positioned himself at the bottom edge of the sidewalk slope.
A man in a blue jacket gripped the back of his shirt firmly. Behind him, a woman in a yellow sweater anchored the blue jacket, while others locked hands along the concrete walkway.
Each person leaned their weight backward toward the flat street. Their sneakers dug into the dry cement to counter the downward pull.
The man in green extended his arm downward toward the water. His sneakers edged down the angled embankment until his toes touched the wet waterline.
Reaching Across the Current
The puppy leaned forward on the stone, its tail tucked low against the rock surface. The man stretched his fingers toward the puppy’s collar, but the gap remained several inches wide.
The group on the sidewalk adjusted their stance, leaning back another inch to give him extra reach. The man shifted his balance, extending both hands directly across the swirling foam.
His fingers slid beneath the puppy’s front legs and chest. He lifted the dog straight up out of the spray, pulling the wet bundle against his chest.
Water dripped from the puppy’s paws back into the canal as the man stood upright on the slippery incline.
Pulled to Safety
The team at the top tightened their grip and pulled in unison. The line shuffled backward step by step away from the ledge.
The man in green stepped upward onto the flat sidewalk, cradling the puppy with both arms. Bystanders encircled him on the walkway, extending their hands toward the dripping dog.
He set the puppy down onto the dry concrete. The golden retriever shook its coat, spraying droplets onto the pavement, before wagging its tail and licking the man’s outstretched hands.
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