The story of a dog that spent several frigid days on the ice on the Detroit River earlier this year has come full circle.
In February, a small dog nicknamed "Miracle" was rescued near Mud Island after spending four days trapped and stranded on the ice. During his time in the wild, he dodged coyotes and eagles and even fell into the water at one point before climbing back onto the ice.
After several unsuccessful attempts to reach the dog, including one by the U.S. Coast Guard, he was saved by a Canadian man onboard an airboat. The hero was identified as Jude Mead of J.J. Marine in LaSalle.
Miracle's fur was extremely matted and he was treated for severe dehydration.
"Calls were made. No one seemed to be able to help. A large crowd of supporters gathered at the river in Ecorse witnessing him out there all alone in peril," read the Facebook post by Friends of the River Rouge Animal Shelter in Michigan. "On Saturday, the fourth day, a hero decided another day wasn’t going by. He risked his life to save [the dog's] life. That dog is now named Miracle, because it absolutely is a miracle he’s alive."
According to the Facebook post, Miracle has now been adopted by the man who saved him.
"Today the story came full circle. Today the little Miracle dog was placed into the hands of the hero who saved his life. That’s right, this dog who defied all the odds will now live happily ever after with the man who saved his life. Miracle could not ask for a better or more ideal family to love him," the post stated.
The puppy crossed the border and was officially handed over to Mead on Friday to start his happy new life.
According to the shelter, Miracle's story attracted lots of people who were interested in adopting him. The shelter fielded through several applications and through the "stringent" process, decided the man who saved Miracle's life would be the best fit for him.
"A big thank you to everyone who played a role," the shelter said. "There are far too many to thank. Thank you also to those who sent care packages to Miracle. His foster family sent all his belongings to his new home in Canada with him."
