Dog who fell into sea was found alive a day later – then went to PUB to celebrate
A dog which fell into the sea from a yacht was found alive a day later after swimming into a CAVE – and then went for a pint with his rescuers.
Desperate searches for stricken collie Jonah, also known as Toobs, were launched after she jumped overboard while at sea.
Owner Wayne Booth said he believed his dog may have swum to shore after disappearing while sailing off St Mawes, near Falmouth, Cornwall.
A huge police and coastguard search, both on land and at sea, was launched on Sunday evening but failed to find the stricken pooch.
But a day later, two kayakers came across her in a cave that was only accessible by boat.
She was rescued to a nearby beach and has now been reunited with her relieved owner.
And as a thank you Wayne, of Falmouth, Cornwall, took the two rescuers and Toobs to the pub to buy them a round as a thank you.
Wayne, of Falmouth, Cornwall, said: “It has been best afternoon possible. Two lads on kayaks went into a cave that you can only access by water and were surprised to find Toobs in there.
“They picked her up and took a fishing hook struck in her shoulder out, put her on top of the kayak and rode her back out.
“They put in on the internet and I had loads of phone calls. We are now all sitting here and Toobs is very happy and very tired.
“Anyone that knows me knows I always wear a life jacket and Toobs does as well. But she was below deck while we were sailing and at some time she came up and sneaked past me.
“I did not see her. She must have climbed up behind me and tried to jump into the dingy we were towing behind. That was the only place it does not have any netting.
“She must have tried to jump in it and missed.”
One of the rescuers added: “We were randomly kayaking having a look into the caves and this one as the last one we were going into.
“She was extremely friendly and we carefully got her on the kayak and took her to the nearest beach.
“She was in pretty good nick considering she had quite a long swim.”