COLD CANINE

By DORIS COOK - Staff Writer
Star Beacon

March 06, 2008 11:54 pm

— MADISON TOWNSHIP — Bella, a frisky 4-year-old golden retriever, was saved Thursday afternoon by Geneva firefighters from icy Lake Erie off Driftwood Avenue and Lake Road.
The family pet was romping on the beach and wandered onto the ice-filled lake, then fell through.
Fortunately the dog was spotted in the water by Mark Primer, a younger son of dog owners Darlene and Randy Primer of 7886 Driftwood Ave. Running into the house to tell his mom, Mark and several brothers and sisters didn’t know what to do at first.
“I called 9-1-1 and thought I was getting the Madison Fire Department. Geneva City Fire Department came in a few minutes as they took the call from Madison,” said Darlene Primer.
She said the children were upset and thought Bella was going to die. “We appreciate the firemen coming,” said Darlene Primer
Coming to the dog rescue were Geneva firefighters Tom Clay, Matt Lomas, Dale Arkenburg and Lt. Chris Craft, along with Northwest Ambulance District emergency squad.
“We took the call because Madison firemen were on another call. We were glad to do it and got the dog out safely,” said Arkenburg. The firemen stretched a ladder out to get the dog, who was in waist deep water and ice.
The dog was unhurt, but cold. Bella appeared to be as frisky as ever after having a shower to warm up.
“We don’t have electricity here with the power outage, but are using a generator and kerosene heaters. We moved here from Montville in January and are renting this house. We are buying a home in Madison. It’s been a hectic day,” said Darlene Primer.
With Bella in tow, the Primer family planned to have dinner at Darlene’s mother’s home Thursday night. “I’m just going to put together a meatloaf and take it there,” she said laughing.
As for Bella, the dog seemed unaware of her close call in the icy lake.

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