Licks aplenty as River heads home to her rescuer

Sandra Lester and River were reacquainted when Mrs Lester collected the 3-month-old pup at Tauranga SPCA on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner

River could not contain her excitement when her new owner's mother arrived at Tauranga SPCA to collect the 3-month-old adopted pup.

The pup was rescued by 9-year-old Logan Lester after the youngster saw a tiny paw on a mossy root coming out of the river near Raymond Ave in Te Puke on his way to school.

Holding on to a tree root he plucked the bedraggled puppy out of the water.

Logan Lester, 9, with River, the German shepherd-cross puppy he rescued from a river.

Logan said the pup was cold, shivering, scared, and lucky to be alive.

Now he and his family have adopted the puppy.

River had plenty of licks for Logan's proud mum Sandra Lester when the pair were reunited at Tauranga SPCA on Saturday but Logan was not able to be there to pick her up.

"It's the perfect outcome as I could see there was an instant connection between them, and Logan kept asking me about the pup. He can't wait to get home on Tuesday, and has given me firm instructions on how to care for River, who is absolutely full of beans," Miss Lester said.

Speaking to the Bay of Plenty Times yesterday Logan said when he first saw River, the pup was "so cute but looked like a drowned rat".

"I knew straight away she had to be my dog. She's the best early Christmas present I have ever had."

Hailed a hero for his quick actions, Logan received a Certificate of Appreciation signed by Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby and a special "puppy hero" award from the Tauranga SPCA.