Dog Who Lost His Leg to Cancer Rescues Baby Otter From River

A dog that lost one of its legs to cancer has rescued a stranded baby otter from an icy cold river in Minnesota.

The incident occurred on Easter Sunday, when the dog's owner, Cleo Young, and her family were spending time near the St. Croix River.

At one point, the three-legged dog—a 6-year-old golden doodle named Gus—decided to jump in the river after spotting something in the water.

"He was going after something, it was clear, but we didn't know at first," Young's grandchild Ella told CBS News. "And he came to shore and he had something in his mouth, and it turned out to be a very tiny otter."

"He was really gentle. And I think he knew it needed help, and so he brought it right to us right away," Ella said.

Gus dropped the otter pup at the feet of Ella and her sister, Lucy, before the family washed the baby animal in a sink. They then rushed it to a nearby rehabilitation center in Roseville.

"It was kind of a harrowing trip, because it was closing at six and we didn't know if we were going to make it," Young said.

The team at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC) said the baby otter might not have survived if Gus had not found it when he did.

In a Facebook post, the center said the otter was much too young to be in the water, and that it should have still been in the den with its mother.

"Everyone give a shout-out to Gus, the wonderful goldendoodle who, while swimming in the St. Croix River, came across this tiny young river otter and rescued it," the center said in the Facebook post last Thursday.

"We were quite concerned the first 36 hours—he was cold to the touch at admit and we didn't know if he'd aspirated water, which could result in pneumonia. The otter turned the corner the other day and is doing well. Kudos to Gus, and his wonderful owners Cleo and John, for saving this young otter's life."

The otter has since been moved to another rehabilitation center for further care.

Gus' heroic feats come despite the fact the dog is battling cancer. Earlier this year, vets had to remove a tumor from his body. But vets later found another one and the dog's back leg had to be amputated. Gus is is also set to undergo three more chemotherapy sessions.

"We thought, 'Oh this is going to be so sad, he isn't going to be able to run again like he used to,' but this hasn't slowed him down at all," Young told WCCO.

"He's a very friendly, happy, goldendoodle," Young, said.