Doggie Do?

What did the doggie do?

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Dog overturns boat, then swims to shore to fetch help for owner in upstate New York AP CARMEL, New York (AP) - A 72-year-old upstate New York man feared for his life after his dog overturned his small boat - but the springer spaniel made up for it by swimming 400 yards (365 meters) to shore to fetch help.

Al Lotrecchiano was fishing on Lake Gilead on Wednesday and had just caught what he said was the largest bass in his life. As he was throwing the fish back in the water, the dog put its paw on the side of the boat, flipping it over.

"My life flashed before me," Lotrecchiano recalled Thursday.

Lotrecchiano started swimming to shore but, figuring he'd never make it, quickly returned to his boat and clung to the side. Bucky swam to shore and ran home barking, Carmel Fire Chief Darryl Johnson said.

Lotrecchiano's wife, Dimmy,

(OK, interjecting here for a moment..who the heck would name their daughter "Dimmy" and who would marry such a woman?)

heard the barking and stepped outside their lake shore home to see what was happening. She then heard her husband's screams for help.

At about the same time, a neighbor called authorities to report a man calling for help from the lake, said Carmel police Lt. Brian Karst.

Lotrecchiano was rescued after about 45 minutes in the water. He was treated for hypothermia at a hospital.

"Thank God the dog did what the dog did," Lotrecchiano said.

I remember he did a NAPA commercial once that was the funniest commercial I've ever seen - all about losing.

It was hysterical and he delivered it dead pan without the slightest sign of a smile.

The interesting thing about him (and Dave Marcus curiously enough) was that a lot of teams used him to test their cars after he retired. I gather the two of them were really wizards on chassis adjustments.

They just could never get it all together. Last of the old time racers.

>(OK, interjecting here for a moment..who the heck would name their >daughter "Dimmy" and who would marry such a woman?)

Dimmy is a very popular name - Russian, Polish, Latvian and I've even known a Dimmy Greek.

It's short for any number of names.

Wha?

Wassamatta? You don't go to Stop and Shop or Grand Union?

Prices are much higher than Big Y or Price Chopper.

Must be all those free health care Union contracts. :>)

Seriously - oddest name ever.

> "Thank God the dog did what the dog did," Lotrecchiano said. >

Ya gotta love those English Springer Spaniels. Taking mine back to the breeder for his first real haircut this weekend. Wife will be observing and learning. $200.00 for clippers & thinning shears should pay for themselves over the lifetime of the dog.

krause, ever the flaming hypocrite...