| Local man Ed Yeaman was out for a stroll with his own dog Lucy, his granddaughters Katlyn (6) and McKenzie (3) and his daughter’s dog Megan when the drama happened shortly before 11am.
Mr Yeaman said, “Megan loves to chase things and took off into the sea after a gull but when the bird kept moving further away from her she just kept going.
“She was heading out to sea and could have ended up half way to Norway if it hadn’t been for the lifeboat guys.
“She was lost to view — maybe three or four hundred yards out — when I phoned my wife Lynne and got her to call the Coastguard and the girls were really upset.
“I was really impressed and delighted at the fast response from the RNLI and the Coastguard, who even gave us a lift along to the lifeboat shed to collect Megan.
“She was a bit cold and wet, and at bit excitable after her swim and trip on the lifeboat, but otherwise she was fine and was just needing a drink of water and a bath to warm her up again.
“I’d just like to say a big thank-you to everyone who helped get her back safely.’
The inshore lifeboat was crewed by mechanic/coxswain Allan Russell, Neil Swankie and Malcolm Teviotdale, all of whom said they were pleased to have been able to provide assistance to the family.
Allan said, “When we got to Megan she was swimming strongly away from land and showing no intention of turning back.
“She took a little bit of persuasion to get into the boat but, once Malcolm and Neil got her on board and wrapped her in a blanket, she calmed down a lot and even seemed to be enjoying all the attention.’ |
