Wandering Weiner

Wayward weiner dog rescued from weakening ice of Wascana Lake

Published: Thursday, April 5, 2007 11:08 PM ET Canadian Press

REGINA (CP) - Rescuers have finally collared a wayward weiner dog that had been on thin ice for days on Regina's Wascana Lake.

The hair-raising adventure ended happily Thursday when Max the mini-dachshund was reunited with his breeder, Nancy Sikora. The two-year-old dog had marooned itself on a small island a few days ago and wouldn't come to shore.

"He's never been outside very much," Sikora said Thursday as she watched Max run back and forth on the ice. "I would take him for a walk and he's holding his little feet up because he's cold. I'm just amazed he's surviving . . . he's got to be terribly terrified."

Sikora sold Max 10 days ago to a couple from Vancouver. The new owners were staying at a downtown hotel when they took Max out for a walk.

"A bus went by and I don't know if the air brakes went off, but it scared him and he jerked out of his harness . . . and took off," said Sikora.

Max showed up on the weakening ice of the Wascana three days ago. Members of the Water Rescue Unit made numerous attempts to reach him but couldn't corner the frightened animal.

"He's so smart," said Miles Forsberg of the Regina fire department as he stood with Sikora watching from the shores of the lake. "He gets around the open water, he goes on the island, he comes back - he's a smart dog, he's not going to go into the open water."

Rescuers almost gave up on the fourth day of trying when Max finally fell into the water. He was forced to swim to shore on the far side of the lake, and into the arms of his relieved former owner, who cuddled and kissed him as he shivered in her arms.
Sikora now says she almost wishes she hadn't sold Max. After all they've been through, he's one animal she won't forget.