Owner Heroically Rescues Dogs from Icy Boulder Lake
A routine outing at Coot Lake in Boulder turned into a daring rescue when two adventurous dogs, Sonic and Yobo, fell through the ice. Their owner, Longmont resident Arnie Weil, sprang into action to save them, capturing the dramatic moment on camera.
Arnie and his wife Shayna frequently visit Coot Lake with their dogs, who are experienced swimmers and off-leash under the Voice and Sight Control Tag program. On Thursday, the dogs were drawn to two floating tennis balls when the incident occurred.
“Sonic walked on first and fell in, then Yobo followed. They were scratching at the ice, unable to get back up,” Arnie recalled. Without hesitation, he removed his shoes, tossed his phone aside, and belly-slid across the ice to reach them. Breaking through the ice allowed the dogs to swim back to shore safely, where Shayna was waiting.
Arnie credited the mild conditions for his successful rescue. “It wasn’t frigid cold outside, and the water wasn’t too deep. Swimming would’ve been tougher and much scarier,” he said. Despite the heart-stopping chill of the water, all three made it out safely.
Colorado fire departments urge caution around water year-round, especially in icy conditions. “If an animal falls through the ice, stay on shore and call 911. A clear last-seen point is critical for rescue crews,” advised Connor Christian of South Metro Fire Rescue.
Fortunately, Sonic and Yobo emerged unscathed and were eager to continue their walk. Shayna reflected on the urgency of the moment: “We didn’t have time to think—it was just an emergency. We had to get them out.”
Firefighters remind the public that icy water can quickly turn dangerous. If a person falls in, they recommend staying calm, finding a surface to rest on, and waiting for help. Despite the danger, this story ended happily with Arnie’s quick thinking and determination saving the day.
