Chester, a 14-year-old dog, is alive thanks to two boys who saved him from drowning. Jacob Jensen and Mason Willet were fishing with Jacob’s grandfather, Vern Wagner, when they spotted a dog named Chester struggling to keep his head above water in Sugar Lake, near Mille Lacs, Minnesota. “The dog was bobbing up and down, struggling to keep its head out of the water,” Wagner told KARE 11.
Jacob instantly recognized that the dog was “probably drowning,” and Mason asked if they could jump into the water after him. Seconds later, Chester was lying on the bottom of the lake and not moving.
Thankfully, the two boys got Chester out of the water quickly, and they were close to a dock. As soon as they got Chester onto the dock, Jacob began chest compressions, having learned how to do it on humans a few years ago.
Vern Wagner/Kare 11
“I didn’t know anything about dog CPR, so I looked up a vet and called and they told me to put the dog in the sphinx position and then to press on its side,” said Wagner.
The 9th graders took turns helping to administer care to Chester and not long after the dog threw up water and started to pant. Jacob then ran to find Chester’s owner, who was incredibly happy that the boys were there to save Chester.
Vern Wagner/Kare 11
“The owner was very appreciative,” said Wagner. “I think he was stunned by what had happened.” Chester’s dad told them that the dog might have had difficulty walking because he had just been vaccinated for Lyme disease. They got an update later telling them that Chester was sleeping soundly and no worse for the wear.
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