On the first hot day of the summer, Lauren Lynde and her husband took their golden retriever, Wally, out for a fun afternoon on Hickory Hills Lake in Lunenburg, Massachusetts.
As always, their 2-year-old pup was eager to jump in and swim — but no one expected what would happen next.
Wally, wearing his adorable shark-fin life vest, was happily paddling around near their canoe. “Usually, we throw him sticks or his ball, but sometimes he just swims around in circles on his own,” Lynde told The Dodo. “It’s hilarious.”
But this swim took an unexpected turn.
Out of the corner of her eye, Lynde noticed something floating nearby. At first, she thought it might be an otter — or maybe just a large stick. Then the mystery object climbed onto Wally’s back.
It was a woodchuck.
“We were in shock,” Lynde said. “Wally just looked back at him calmly, started swimming toward shore, and the woodchuck rode along like it was the most natural thing in the world.”
Wally didn’t mind one bit. He swam steadily with his unexpected passenger perched between his shoulder blades, occasionally glancing over as if to say, “You good back there?”
It’s anyone’s guess what led the woodchuck into the water that day — maybe it was just trying to cool off like everyone else.
Fortunately, Wally was more than happy to help.
“He’s the sweetest dog,” Lynde said. “He loves every animal he meets and especially adores little kids. He’s just full of love.”
The ride didn’t last long, but it ended with a gentle farewell. As they neared shore, the woodchuck hopped off, and the two animals paused for a brief, almost magical exchange.
“They touched snouts — like a little goodbye,” Lynde said. “Then the woodchuck scampered off into the woods, and Wally went straight back to swimming.”
Even though woodchucks are typically timid, this one clearly felt safe with Wally.
“I think he just has a kind spirit,” Lynde said. “Wally exudes goodness — maybe even the wild animals can feel it.”
