Real-life Lassie helps rescue elderly man from frigid East Bay waters

Early morning on Wednesday, Jan. 24, an elderly man slipped and fell into the water while taking his morning walk at the Pittsburg marina. A furry hero's barking awoke his owner, who then saw the man struggling in the water. The man was able to be helped from the water and was extremely grateful. less Early morning on Wednesday, Jan. 24, an elderly man slipped and fell into the water while taking his morning walk at the Pittsburg marina. A furry hero's barking awoke his owner, who then saw the man struggling ... more Photo: Pittsburg Police Facebook Page Photo: Pittsburg Police Facebook Page Image 1 of / 63 Caption Close Real-life Lassie helps rescue elderly man from frigid East Bay waters 1 / 63 Back to Gallery

Man's best friend to the rescue.

Taking his morning walk along the Pittsburg marina waterfront on Wednesday, an elderly man slipped and fell into the frigid bay waters, according to the Pittsburg Police Facebook page.

But just when the situation was turning tragic, a shaggy dog named "Moe" — a Golden Retriever version of the poster-pooch from the bygone TV series "Lassie" — jumped into action and began barking for help.

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Police said the noise woke the dog's owner, John Newman, who went to see what all the canine commotion was about.

The elderly man was then helped from the water and was extremely grateful to his new furry friend for sounding the alert.

Pittsburg Police did arrive at the scene but it was "after Moe had saved the day," Officer Steve Albanese said.

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Moe was lauded a hero by Facebook commenters, and the Pittsburg Police "couldn't agree more! So glad he alerted on this," read one comment.

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As of midday Wednesday, the post already had close to 900 likes and 100 shares.

Pittsburg Police also posted the story on their Twitter feed with the hashtag #DogsAreHeroesToo.