CHICAGO (FOX 29) - Police came to the rescue for one man in Chicago who jumped into the icy waters of Lake Michigan in late January to save his dog.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, was walking his American Eskimo mix pup named Pika when the dog darted toward an ice ridge and ended up in the water.
He was able to save the 9-month-old dog, but could not get back onto land himself.
The anonymous man penned a letter thanking police, saying that his hands became numb after jumping in the water, rendering him unable to pull himself over the head-high ice bank, according to WGN Radio.
A witness who saw the dog owner jump in alerted police, who helped get the man to safety.
The dog's owner said he believed the 19-pound dog would have drowned or died from the cold had he jumped in to save him. He also said he had "no doubt" he would have also died without help.
"They [CPD] absolutely saved my life," the man said. " I will be forever grateful to them."
The Chicago Police Department posted footage of the rescue, including the moment the man was reunited with his dog.