Pup That Fell Off A Yacht Into Florida River Swims 7 Miles To Shore

KEY POINTS

A dog named Jessica swam to the shore and appeared in the backyard of a house
The corgi had no swimming experience before the incident as per the owner
A man who found the dog took her to the vet to get her checked

A 1-year-old corgi that fell overboard from a yacht sailing through the Indian River in Florida swam 7 miles to the shore.

Jon Atwood had flown to Florida from Utah with his dog named Jessica to help his parents get their yacht across the Intracoastal Waterway to North Carolina, according to Pet Rescue Report. The family was en route to Fort Pierce when Atwood ended up losing Jessica and a desperate search ensued.

The pet parent was lucky to reunite with his dog after a man who found Jessica returned it to him. The pooch reportedly surfaced in the man's backyard in Rockledge after the 7-mile-long swim. The homeowner also took Jessica to a veterinarian hospital to ensure it was in good health.

The staff at the hospital were thrilled to find out that it was safe and uninjured, although very tired, according to Space Coast Daily.

Jessica fell off the vessel when it was passing under the bridge of State Road 520 over the Indian River. The family searched the boat, as well as the nearby waters but the pooch was nowhere to be found, according to UPI.com.

"When we couldn’t find her, we immediately put two small boats in the water and started searching the water to find her," Atwood told WKMG-TV, adding that they were unsure if the canine could swim because it had no prior experience.

The search continued for the next 24 hours without success. The family was then contacted by the Rockledge homeowner who saw posts about Jessica's disappearance on social media. "Seeing that she was still alive and knowing that we were going to be reunited flooded with me so much emotion," Atwood told Space Coast Daily.

Atwood said he offered the homeowner a $500 reward for returning Jessica but he refused. "I just want to say thank you. Thanks for caring. Thank you for being kind and thank you for being compassionate," he said. Jessica had, by then, become a celebrity in the Rockledge neighborhood for her incredible bravery.

"I was humbled by how many people were supportive in helping me find my dog, and I can’t thank everyone who helped enough," said Atwood.