Woodstock family adopts husky rescued from icy pond

Flash, the wandering husky rescued from a frigid pond in St. Charles Township last month, has found his forever home in Woodstock.

Kate and Mitch Parisek adopted him from Animal House Shelter in Huntley.

“I saw his picture on the animal shelter website,” Kate said. “I didn’t even know he was the dog that was rescued. He’s so handsome.”

The Pariseks’ son had a malamute named Cora. But when he and the dog moved out in October, she missed them.

“Then when I saw Flash’s picture, we just went to meet him and loved him,” Kate said. “He’s so mellow. When people come in, he’s very happy to meet them. He doesn’t jump up on anybody and doesn’t run around like a maniac. He’s really calm and has been so good. Last night, he had nightmares. He was crying in his sleep.”

Nightmares. No wonder.

Neighbors in the Crane Road Estates subdivision, whose houses back up to the pond, heard his frantic barking from the frigid water in sub-zero temperatures and called 911.

Fox River and Countryside Fire Rescue responded.

A firefighter, wearing an exposure suit, crawled out on the ice and picked up the dog while other firefighters provided support.

They took the wet, freezing and terrified pup to the Dundee Animal Hospital of Elgin, where veterinarians stabilized him. Then he was taken to Animal House Shelter in Huntley, where he became available for adoption when no owner claimed him.

The outcome of their dog rescue from the freezing pond was gratifying to Fire Chief Michael Hill.

“We go to bad situations and make them better,” Hill said. “We’re just so happy there was a positive outcome – first in his rescue and secondly, the long-term solution of him being adopted and having a loving family.”