Fairfax dog rescued after falling through ice during blizzard

This wasn't the first time five-year-old Milo was rescued by Fairfax County Firefighters. Once when chasing a squirrel up a tree he got his front paw trapped in the crook of a branch. His body was fully extended with his toes barely touching the ground. (WTOP/Kristi King) — This wasn’t the first time five-year-old Milo was rescued by Fairfax County Firefighters. Once when chasing a squirrel up a tree he got his front paw trapped in the crook of a branch. His body was fully extended with his toes barely touching the ground. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Saint Bernard Milo fell through the ice of Woodglen Lake in Fairfax Station Friday Jan. 22 during the beginning of the blizzard of 2016. (Courtesy of Fairfax Fire and Rescue News)

Milo made a full recovery almost immediately once he got warmed up, but he was quite subdued when first freed from the ice. "He was exhausted," says Lt. Michael Hendershot with the Fairfax County Fire Department. (Courtesy of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Captain II Carlton Burkhammer) — Milo made a full recovery almost immediately once he got warmed up, but he was quite subdued when first freed from the ice. “He was exhausted,” says Lt. Michael Hendershot with the Fairfax County Fire Department. (Courtesy of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Captain II Carlton Burkhammer)

Mark Wortman with his dog Milo's rescuers: Medics from Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Station 32 in Burke Centre, assisted Milo once he was freed from the pond. A crew from City of Fairfax Station 403 was the first to get into the water. The rescue squad from Burke Fire Station 14 was standing-by as back-up in case the water rescue team got into trouble or needed assistance. (WTOP/Kristi King) — Mark Wortman with his dog Milo’s rescuers: Medics from Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Station 32 in Burke Centre, assisted Milo once he was freed from the pond. A crew from City of Fairfax Station 403 was the first to get into the water. The rescue squad from Burke Fire Station 14 was standing-by as back-up in case the water rescue team got into trouble or needed assistance. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Yolanda Wortman deeply regrets letting Milo off his leash the day he fell through the ice. She says her family's little dog Gizmo listens better than Milo who flunked obedience school when he was 8 months old. "Because I couldn't reprimand him," Wortman said. "He's too lovable." (WTOP/Kristi King) — Yolanda Wortman deeply regrets letting Milo off his leash the day he fell through the ice. She says her family’s little dog Gizmo listens better than Milo who flunked obedience school when he was 8 months old. “Because I couldn’t reprimand him,” Wortman said. “He’s too lovable.” (WTOP/Kristi King)

When one person or animal falls though the ice, it's common for someone attempting rescue also to fall in. "And we lose an entire family," said Capt. Randy Bittinger while emphasizing well intentioned bystanders to stay off the ice. "I know it's very tough. But instinctively you should call 911 right away." (WTOP/Kristi King) — When one person or animal falls though the ice, it’s common for someone attempting rescue also to fall in. “And we lose an entire family,” said Capt. Randy Bittinger while emphasizing well intentioned bystanders should stay off the ice. “I know it’s very tough. But instinctively you should call 911 right away.” (WTOP/Kristi King)

At the ceremony bringing together Milo and his rescuers, he received a Fairfax County Fire Rescue Department badge. "He's an honorary mascot here for the station," said Capt. Randy Bittinger of Station 32 in Burke Centre. (WTOP/Kristi King) — At the ceremony bringing together Milo and his rescuers, he received a Fairfax County Fire Rescue Department badge. “He’s an honorary mascot here for the station,” said Capt. Randy Bittinger of Station 32 in Burke Centre. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Once Milo was cleaned of ice, dried off and taken home in an ambulance with the heater blasting he perked up considerably. "He got out, ran up to the house, ran inside and started playing with the other dog [Gizmo] immediately," says Fire Department Lt. Michael Hendershot of the Fairfax County Fire Department. (WTOP/Kristi King) — Once Milo was cleaned of ice, dried off and taken home in an ambulance with the heater blasting he perked up considerably. “He got out, ran up to the house, ran inside and started playing with the other dog [Gizmo] immediately,” says Lt. Michael Hendershot of the Fairfax County Fire Department. (WTOP/Kristi King)

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Fairfax County dog rescue: WTOP's Kristi King reports (WTOP News)

WASHINGTON — St. Bernard dogs have a history of making cold weather rescues as far back as the 1700’s in the Swiss Alps, but modern-day Milo recently needed rescuing from a frozen Fairfax County lake.

Milo and his grateful family reunited Friday with the Fairfax County Rescue teams who pulled him from the potentially deadly water.

“I’m just glad he’s doing fine,” said owner Mark Wortman. “I don’t know what life would be without him.”

The 120-pound, 5-year-old Saint Bernard fell through the ice of Woodglen Lake in Fairfax Station Jan. 22 during the beginning of the blizzard.

Milo is so big, rescuing him was similar to rescuing a person, but harder.

“Sometimes a person can follow directions and sometimes they can’t. But with a dog he’s just sitting there waiting for you,” said City of Fairfax Fire Department Master Technician David Busch, the lead rescuer on the ice.

Milo wasn’t cooperative. He shrugged off a rescue noose and wouldn’t allow Busch to put a flotation device on him. Finally Busch had to get in the water with Milo to free him.

“My suit has buoyancy in it and floats, so I acted as his flotation device,” Busch said.

Milo was quite subdued when first freed from the ice, but once he was dried off, warmed up and taken home in an ambulance with the heater blasting, he perked up considerably.

“He got out, ran up to the house, ran inside and started playing with the other dog [Gizmo] immediately,” Fairfax County Fire Department Lt. Michael Hendershot said with a smile.