A 10-year-old rural border collie has a miraculous tale of survival after being washed down the raging Waitaki River.
Chilli and owner Wally Dundass, who live in the small township Waitaki Bridge near Oamaru, went fishing last Wednesday as they normally do, whenChilli got distracted by some birds.
"We were just on our way back from another unsuccessful attempt to catch up to one of those elusive salmon," Dundass said.
"She was playing with a stick in the water but then noticed some geese to chase.
"I was walking back to the car and thought she'd be a couple of minutes behind.
"She usually turns up, and five minutes later she hadn't turned up, and I thought 'Oh, that's a bit unusual', so I backtracked and tried to call her but she never came.
"So I knew she'd been washed down the Waitaki River."
"I opened the back door about 4am and guess who was sitting there looking a bit sorry for herself and soaking wet!"
Chilli had miraculously made it home.
Chilli, wrapped up warmly after her river soaking and long walk home. Photo / Supplied
"I'm assuming she's washed ashore somewhere, has made it onto one of the many tracks down there by the river, walked to Glenavy and then has somehow crossed the busy Waitaki Bridge on State Highway 1 before making it a few more kilometres to our place."
Dundass said Chilli was doing well.
"We're so thankful she's home, we had her looked over by the vet, she was a bit sore but is doing fine.
