Dog collapses on Lake Murray trail

On September 25 at 2:30 p.m., a dog named Chase collapsed at the two-and-a-half-mile mark on the Lake Murray running trail. Luckily, a kind woman was on hand to help the dog and his owner.

When the dog stopped, he fell to the pavement as a regular jogger, Anna Falco, was running by. The other woman was nearby and came to observe the animal. Falco said she thought the dog had died, but he opened his eyes and just lay there crying as his master was leaving him with the woman; he was going with Cliff, a water-division supervisor, to get his car.

The dog’s master was upset and a little disoriented because he was visiting from New York. He thought his big, well-fed dog could make it to the end of the lake trail. Haven said that people often don’t realize the pavement is hot and sometimes difficult for dogs to walk on. Haven stood by the dog’s side and waited for Cliff to come back with his owner.

About ten minutes later, Cliff arrived in the water-division truck and was followed by a small blue Honda. Cliff and the dog owner were both smiling as they approached the happy but tired dog. The owner helped his dog into the back of his car. He said he overestimated his dog’s ability to walk the distance. He was very grateful to Haven and Cliff for their help.

(revised 4:32 p.m., October 2)