A three-legged dog has earned all the treats in the world after jumping into a river to save an abandoned baby otter.
Gus the six-year-old Goldendoodle didn't let his missing limb stop him from treading waters - despite concerns from his owner.
It was the first time the disabled pup had attempted swimming following his recent cancer diagnosis and leg amputation.
On Sunday 17 April, Gus was walking along the banks of the St. Croix River in Wisconsin-Minnesota with his owners' grandchildren, Ella and Lucy Hammerstrand.
One moment he was on land, and the next he was suddenly in the body of water and appeared to be looking for something.
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Gus emerged and ran up to the girls' feet, then dropped a tiny brown otter who appeared to be orphaned.
Ella told Fox 9 : "First time swimming with three legs and he comes out of the water with a baby otter in his mouth!
"He was so cute. His eyes weren’t even open yet…you could just see his little fingernails and his little tail. He almost like curled into a little ball."
The pair searched but couldn't find the otter's mum so rushed him to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota.
Gus' owner, Cleo Young, told WCCO that the trip was "harrowing" because the facility was almost shut and they didn't know if they'd make it.
Luckily, they arrived just in time and staff estimated the otter was about a week old - far too young to be swimming alone.
For the first 36 hours, they feared he was too cold and could develop pneumonia.
Sharing updates on their Facebook page, wildlife officials said he has since "turned a corner" and has been transferred to another rehab facility.
"Kudos to Gus and his wonderful owners Cleo and John, for saving this young otter's life," they posted.
Ella believed Gus "knew the otter was hurting and something was wrong", and promised he received a lot of treats afterwards.
Cleo spoke about her worries that Gus' life would change forever following his surgery to remove two cancerous tumours.
She feared he wouldn't be "able to run like he used to" but thankfully, it "hasn't slowed him down at all" - and his heroic rescue mission proves that.
Do you have a dog story to tell? Contact nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
