A have-a-go jogger has earned online plaudits for her efforts to rescue a terrified dog from the River Nith.
Emma Eden pulled stricken King Charles Spaniel, Rosie, from the water on New Year’s Day, after the pet fell in close to her Nunholm home.
Emma, 43, was returning from a run when the early afternoon incident unfolded.
But bashful Emma played down the incident, which has earned her praise on social media. She said: “There were lots of other people helping too.”
The mum-of-three had been on a regular run when she discovered a crowd gathered on a path linking Dumfries Academy with Nunholm as she passed the River Nith minutes from her home.
She realised they were at the centre of a bid to rescue Rosie, who was shivering in the water.
Emma said: “Somebody said there was a dog in the water. One of the life rings had been thrown in but the dog wasn’t sure what to do with it. I said I lived nearby and rang home to ask for someone to bring down a ladder.
“But the dog was really wee and she was obviously really cold, she was really shivering and I realised we would need to wait a wee while on the ladders coming, so I was concerned about her.”
The rescue party decided more immediate action was required, added Emma: “I said I didn’t mind going in. I was just on my way back from a jog, so I was really warm and I knew I could get a hot shower quickly because my house wasn’t far.
“I do a bit of open water swimming as well, so I’m okay with getting into the water, it really wasn’t very deep.”
Bystanders threw a rope round their intrepid rescue volunteer as she entered the water and held on to help Emma back out with the dog.
She said: “The dog’s owner was there with his other dog and I think he was in a bit of shock about the whole thing.
“I think one minute they were walking and the next Rosie had tumbled and was in the water.”
Occupational health and safety specialist Emma summoned back-up from home to bring blankets to help warm Rosie and won the praise of the dog’s owner.
She said: “The owner came to my house with his wife later with Rosie and brought me flowers.
“There were lots of other people helping.”
