Spaniel overturns boat, then swims to get help

‘Thank God the dog did what the dog did,’ says owner, 72, after rescue

Video: Wonderful World

Transforming Newark's South 9th St.
July 3: In one block in Newark, N.J., affordable homes now stand in place of vacant lots, thanks to a group of entrepreneurs hoping to change a neighborhood and make a difference. NBC’s Ron Allen reports.

Woman thanks 911 operator who saved her life

Lego landmarks on display in Chicago

Sky over Big Apple turns orange

Baby delivered in car during storm

Your turn!

Inspirational athletes
In honor of the 2008 Olympics, we're celebrating the athletes in your own life who inspire greatness.

Giving

Newsweek: First lady reaches out to D.C.’s poor
Away from the cameras, Michelle Obama has made it a practice to almost every week visit some worthy non-profit.

Willie Garson touts adoptions in U.S.

Mich.-based charity shuts down

Obama lauds community nonprofits

Obama: All Americans should give back

Dina Manzo reaches out to kids with cancer

Breaking news alerts (about 1 per day)
Click here to sign up or text NEWS to MSNBC (67622).

Find more alerts at alerts.msnbc.com

updated 4:13 p.m. ET May 3, 2007

CARMEL, N.Y. - A 72-year-old man feared for his life after his dog overturned his small boat — but the springer spaniel made up for it by swimming 400 yards to shore to fetch help.

Al Lotrecchiano was fishing on Lake Gilead on Wednesday and had just caught what he said was the largest bass in his life. As he was throwing the fish back in the water, the dog put its paw on the side of the boat, flipping it over.

"My life flashed before me," Lotrecchiano recalled Thursday.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Lotrecchiano started swimming to shore but, figuring he'd never make it, quickly returned to his boat and clung to the side. Bucky swam to shore and ran home barking, Carmel Fire Chief Darryl Johnson said.

Lotrecchiano's wife, Dimmy, heard the barking and stepped outside their lake shore home to see what was happening. She then heard her husband's screams for help.

At about the same time, a neighbor called 911 to report a man calling for help from the lake, said Carmel police Lt. Brian Karst.

Lotrecchiano was rescued after about 45 minutes in the water. He was treated for hypothermia at a hospital.

"Thank God the dog did what the dog did," Lotrecchiano said.