Rocky, a golden retriever, has been reunited with his family after being missing for two days following a boating accident in Charleston. Jeff and Kim Wiseman, Rocky’s owners, are thanking their community, his life jacket, and the Charleston Animal Society for his safe return.
On June 23, Jeff and Rocky were boating on the Ashley River. Rocky, wearing his dog life jacket, fell into the water when the boat hit a concrete structure. Jeff, who suffered multiple injuries, was taken to the hospital, and emergency responders searched for Rocky but had to stop for the night.
Kim took to Facebook, asking friends to help find Rocky. By the next morning, community members were already searching. Kim said, “I could never have imagined when I just posted an hour after the accident that the community response would be what it became.”
Two days later, Rocky was found miles away in a family’s backyard. Kim described the reunion as miraculous, saying, “It felt like a miracle… We were overjoyed and so grateful to everyone who helped.”
The Charleston Animal Society advises boaters to use life vests for pets, stating, “If you go in a boat, your children are going to have life vests on. Your dogs should have life vests on as well.”