Dog swept away by river reunited with owner

A man and his dog were reunited on Friday night after Sam the golden retriever jumped in for a swim in the Merrimack River and was swept away. While Sam struggled, his owner, Steve Soba, said he worried and onlookers called for the dog to stay afloat. Soba said he took his dog off the leash for a moment at Arms Park, and Sam ran down some steps and got swept away by the strong, cold current.

People watched helplessly from above the river as the 6-year-old golden retriever could only tread water. He had no way out because of the steep walls that surround the park. Some people leaned over the railing to shout words of encouragement, and Soba, of Hooksett, guided Sam from above.


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Manchester firefighters arrived to help, trying to lead Sam to a small patch of land. Sam followed the voices of Soba and other rescuers, doggy paddling down river. Firefighter Joel Monroe rappelled down the wall and dove in to get the dog. A rescue boat arrived to carry Sam back to shore and return him to the arms of his owner.

"(Sam) was excited. He started barking," Monroe said. "He was glad to be back on land. So, yeah, it went well. Thank goodness for the Manchester Fire Department," Soba said. "They reacted so quick, calmed me down. He's awesome. They're awesome. I know they say they're doing their job, but they saved two lives tonight: the dog's and mine."