A black Labrador retriever mix named Sadie was dramatically rescued after being swept out to sea by a rip current off the coast of Ocean Beach, San Diego. The incident occurred last month when Sadie escaped from her owners during a football game. According to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, her owners tracked her down the coast using an Airtag attached to her collar.
Concerned surfers spotted the dog caught in the rip current near the jetty and alerted lifeguards. A search operation quickly ensued, with a U.S. Coast Guard boat and lifeguards mobilized to the area. Lifeguards Garrett Smerdon and Jack Alldredge joined the effort using personal watercraft, dedicating over an hour to the search. Just as they were about to be called off, Alldredge spotted something in the water.
Rescue Operation Details
“At that point, I kind of just said, ‘Please let us find this dog,’” Alldredge stated. Knowing that Labradors are strong swimmers, Smerdon felt hopeful that Sadie was still alive. As they closed in on the sighting, Alldredge confirmed it was indeed the missing dog. “We got closer and closer, and then we realized it was her and we were pretty excited,” he recounted.
Sadie was located approximately a half-mile offshore near South Mission Beach. The lifeguards quickly transported her onto a surf boat, which returned her to shore. There, she was joyfully reunited with her owners, Alexis Barcellos and Brandon Valdez. In a video message, Barcellos expressed her gratitude, recalling the moment they learned Sadie had been found alive. “We kind of just held our breath, and they were like, and the dog is alive,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “And we kind of just started crying right away.”
After the Rescue
Following the rescue, it was evident that Sadie had sustained injuries. Her paws and nails were damaged from attempting to climb onto the jetty, leading Barcellos and Valdez to carry her for about a week while she recovered. Despite her injuries, Sadie maintained a positive spirit. Recently, she made her first trip to a pet store since the incident to pick out a treat and completed her first 1.5-mile walk.
Barcellos shared her relief, stating, “We are just beyond grateful she is home safe with us.” The experience has not only reunited a beloved pet with her family but also highlighted the dedication of local lifeguards and the community during emergency situations.
