Helena Cooper visited RNLI Rye Harbour on Sunday, February 25 to say a big ‘thank you’ to the RNLI, the coastguard and to local residents who helped her search for her missing puppy Gus on February 7 on the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
Her dog had gone missing at 1pm while being walked by a dog-walker on the reserve. He had been enticed to run near the water by the birds flying around. As soon as Helena was informed she headed down to begin a search. She loved her eight-month-old puppy dearly as he had been given to her at a difficult time in her life and Gus had helped her through it.
She was understandably totally distraught. Stuart Clark, RNLI Rye Harbour crew, came across her at 3:30 pm and called the emergency services on 999 requesting help from the coastguard. Helena later said she had no idea that she was able to get help like this in her situation. She and Stuart scoured the river but could not see Gus.
They were soon joined by Eve, Bev and Simon who all offered their support. The coastguard arrived as the light was fading and no sighting of the dog was made. Sadly, Gus was found by a dog walker the next morning on Camber beach: the water had just been too much for him. On social media hundreds of condolences have been left by local dog owners who can only imagine Helena’s pain at such a sad loss.
Helena came to the station on Sunday morning to thank everyone who had helped and made a generous donation from her and her colleagues at work. She believes that dogs, especially those who love to chase birds, should be kept on a lead near fast-flowing water.
She wrote on social media: “Thank you so much for all your help on Wednesday evening, looking for my beautiful Gus. Sadly he did not make it. My heart is broken forever. He was just eight months old and the most wonderful boy I had the fortune to spend part of my life with. You, and the people of Rye were so lovely. Thank you from the bottom of my broken heart.”
The Kennel Club states:
If at any point you or your dog get into a difficult situation you must call 999 and seek professional advice on what to do. Do not put your life or the life of your dog at risk and remember to stay safe at all times.
RNLI advice for dog walkers
It’s important to keep yourself safe when you walk me. Please remember:
- Keep me on a lead if we’re close to cliff edges or fast flowing rivers.
- If I go into the water or get stuck in mud, don’t go after me. Move to a place I can get to safely and call me – I’ll probably get out by myself.
- If you’re worried about me, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Helena Cooper .
This was indeed a tragic event and a salutary lesson to dog owners of the dangers of rivers. I witnessed the search and the angst of the owner as I was at the location with a team involved in scanning the two pillboxes as part of a historical research project. However I would like to point out that, if I am the Simon referred to in the article, it was in fact one of my colleagues, Mark, who joined the search and spent some considerable time helping and consoling the unfortunate owner.