Lost dog rescued from icy waters

After many days of searching and a particularly harrowing rescue, Gus the dog is home safe and sound.

Gus was found by searchers on Saturday, December 14, after over a week of search efforts in the Grass Creek Park area, where he was originally lost. Unfortunately, shortly after being found, Gus fell through the ice he was on, and into frigid waters.

Kingston Fire and Rescue responded to the Grass Creek Park area just before 10:30 a.m. and, after a 40 minute rescue effort, Gus was brought safely back onto dry land.

“Not at all how we wanted today to go but a happy ending nonetheless,” said the Nichols family in a post on a Facebook page they created to coordinate the search and rescue efforts. “One of our worst nightmares unfolded in front of our eyes – Gus went through the ice. Our incredible boy, after nine days on the run, treaded water for 40 minutes until the Fire Department was able to get to him. It was the longest, most stressful, emotional 40 minutes of my life thus far,” said Hillary Nichols.

The family expresses their gratitude to the Kingston community that rallied together in the search and rescue efforts, and particularly Lost Paws Inc Quinte West and the Kingston Fire & Rescue crews who conducted the ice rescue.