Lewes Fire Department rescued Buddy, a dog who is blind and deaf, from Red Mill Pond, Jan. 9. Capt. Trevor Feist and Teri Willey used the fire department boat to slide across 3-inch thick ice to retrieve the dog, who had been missing since 4:30 a.m. Lewes Fire Department member Dennis Dean said the department has done about three similar rescues in the past.

Sweet Briar resident Gloria Mooney was in despair when she couldn’t find her elderly dog after his early morning step outside. “He must have gotten spooked by something because he never leaves the yard,” she said. She had been following his paw prints trying to locate him all morning.

Once the boat was on the scene about 10 a.m., the rescue took about 10 minutes. After a little bit of snapping at his rescuers, the dog was lifted into the boat. Wrapped in towels and placed in a warm vehicle, Buddy was soon reunited with his owner.

Reader Kristie McWilliams reports that lucky for Buddy, his plight was called in by her uncle, Randy McWilliams, who lives near Red Mill Pond.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information provided by Kristie McWilliams.