Puppy presumed dead at sea is reunited with family, thanks to Facebook post

Credit: Clare Shaw



GROTON, Conn. -- Ryder was lost, then he was found.

Clare Shaw and her family were boating off the coast of Noank, along the Connecticut shoreline Sunday, when their 8-month Shiba Inu puppy slipped out of his harness and into the ocean.

Credit: Clare Shaw



"After turning around and back tracking for hours, having the coast guard involved, and everyone on shore looking, we weren't able to find our puppy who we thought didn't know how to swim," Shaw told WTIC.

The family was hoping for the best for Ryder, but fearing the worst.

"My family came home and we felt defeated," Shaw said. "We packed up his things and lit a candle in his cage and assumed our boy lost his life drowning."

But then, she gave it one more shot. Shaw posted on Facebook, asking if anyone had seen her precious pup.



Credit: Clare Shaw



"Almost 100 shares later, an equine vet saw my post and a post in a Groton lost-and-found pet group," she said.

The vet put the two Facebook posts together and realized someone found and rescued Ryder. They were able to pick him up Sunday night.

"They had found him swimming in the middle of the sound and pulled him into their boat," Shaw said. "We are so incredibly thankful!"