The incident happened last Saturday afternoon at around 5.30pm on Guincho beach, Cascais. It was witnessed by local Deborah de Sousa, who was also out walking her dog on the popular, animal-friendly beach.
Recalling the heart-stopping moment when the animal was washed into the water, she told The Portugal News “the dog was pulled out to sea whilst playing at the waters’ edge. Bystanders tried to rescue it, but it was pulled out fast, by a strong undertow.”
“Golden retrievers are good swimmers but this dog just couldn’t have done anything at all,” Ms. De Sousa reflected on the treacherous conditions, on a beach which is known among the surfing community as being one of the best in Portugal for its waves.
The dog’s frantic owners, “an older couple”, were rendered powerless to just watch as their beloved golden retriever desperately struggled to make it back to shore.
Ms. De Sousa continues: “We called out to a teenager, body-boarding further out, and he did not hesitate to put himself in harm’s way to save the dog. As he came close enough to stand, another teenager, possibly the brother of the first young man, stripped off his shirt and ran in to help, still wearing his trousers.”
Highlighting the heroic actions of the two youngsters, she adds: “They were dumped by an enormous wave and the dog was pulled out of the arms of his rescuers, who then looked, frantically, into the waters, finding it and, finally, bringing it back to the safety of the beach, where it collapsed.
“Its grateful owners dashed forward to claim their exhausted dog, amid relief from all who watched the brave rescue.”