Furry hitchhiker: Watch as this woodchuck rides to shore on dog's back
Remarkable photos snapped last month at a Massachusetts lake show a dog becoming an unlikely water taxi for another critter.
Lauren Russell's golden retriever, Wally, was swimming at Hickory Hills Lake in Lunenburg on Sunday, May 16, when he came across a woodchuck in the water.
That woodchuck hitched a ride to shore on Wally's back.
"He was about 100 meters out and a woodchuck I think just crawled right up on his back and he swam back to shore with him," said Russell. "We were flabbergasted. It was unbelievable. We couldn't believe what we were seeing."
The 2-year old pup took it in stride — or in this case, all in doggie paddle.
"He didn't even care," said Russell. "He like took a peek back on his back and then just kept swimming."
There was one other incredible interaction between these two new, but brief, friends. It happened when the two got closer to shore.
"It came back to the island, hopped off his back, and then scurried away and they gave each other a little kiss goodbye. They like touched snouts and then he ran away," said Russell.