A dog can be a wonderful companion — whether at home or on adventures. For an Australian sailor, this companionship was essential for survival as he and his dog were stranded at sea before recently getting rescued. However, after this fateful ordeal, the sailor said goodbye to his canine friend.
Sailor met his dog Bella while traveling in Mexico
Tim Shaddock, a 51 year-old-man from Australia, met the dog while traveling in Mexico — and named her Bella. The dog grew attached to Shaddock and followed him around, per the Independent.
“Bella sort of found me in the middle of Mexico. She’s Mexican,” said Shaddock. “She’s the spirit of the middle of the country and she wouldn’t let me go. I tried to find a home for her three times and she just kept following me onto the water.”
Caught in a storm in the Pacific Ocean on their catamaran
With a strong bond between them, Shaddock decided to take Bella with him for a journey across the Pacific Ocean — and on to French Polynesia. Three months ago, they set off with their white catamaran from La Paz, Mexico.
The first part of their journey was tranquil, as they traveled westward across the Pacific. However, a month into their excursion, a strong storm struck their catamaran. It severely damaged the boat, wiping out the electronics — stranding the sailor and his dog at sea.
Stranded at sea: ‘Like finding a needle in a haystack’
The next two months were harrowing for Shaddock and Bella, but they managed to survive by being resourceful and relying on the bare essentials. As detailed by 9News, they survived by drinking rainwater and eating raw fish.
The sailor and his dog spent many days waiting. Given how small the boat was compared to the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, getting rescued seemed unlikely. Ocean survival expert Professor Mike Tipton described it like “finding a needle in a haystack.”
The companionship between Shaddock and Bella was essential for keeping their hopes up — and the will to survive.
“I think that may have well made the difference,” said Lipton. “You’re living very much from day to day and you have to have a very positive mental attitude in order to get through this kind of ordeal and not give up.”
Rescue and emotional goodbye
After many days of waiting and hoping, the sailor and his dog were miraculously rescued. A helicopter accompanying a Mexican tuna trawler spotted the catamaran. The trawler then took Shaddock and Bella back to Mexico, where they received medical care.
Considering the circumstances, both the sailor and canine were in relatively good health — and good spirits. However, both still need more time to recover from the ordeal. “I’m just needing rest and good food because I have been alone at sea a long time,” said Shaddock.
Shaddock reiterated the importance of Bella, describing her as “amazing.” “She’s a beautiful animal,” he said. “I’m just grateful she’s alive. She’s a lot braver than I am, that’s for sure.”
Nonetheless, Shaddock decided it was best to find a new home for Bella — and a more stable living situation. A crew member from the rescue boat promised to give the dog a “happy and loving home” in Mexico.
Before he flew back to Australia, the sailor said an emotional goodbye to the dog that helped him survive while stranded at sea. Bella waited patiently on the deck of the boat with the crew as Shaddock rode off to the airport.
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Header image: NBC News via YouTube
I’m Mark Putzer, and my passion for animals and all things nature is a life-long love affair. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had many cherished memories of hiking, skiing, and enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Badger State.
My passion for animals led me to marine biology research for my studies at the University of Wisconsin. I researched the behavior and communication of humpback whales around Hawaii and Orca Whales around the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The experience of being close to these massive and magnificent creatures is amazing. Later, I taught outdoor education to children in California — passing along my knowledge of animals and nature to the curious minds of the next generation. I also love pets. This includes a Labrador Retriever dog named “Molly” when I was a kid — and now, an adventurous tabby cat named “Rosy.”
I’m here to share the wonders of the animal kingdom with you. Whether it’s a cherished pet at home or an animal out in the wild, there are many unique stories and interesting information to share on Weird Animal News! Enjoy!
