The Pull Back to Land
He signaled that he and his patient were ready to be pulled back to shore, thus tightening the ropes of the men holding on to it at his end. Little by little, they would slowly pull them across the ice, controlling each move so as not to cause any sudden stress on the fragile surface. She pulled in sync with the rest of them on the shore; and as she and the rescuer and the dog inched closer to solid ground, their efforts on land were coordinated in pulling in sync to maintain stability.
The return journey was as gruesome as the approach. With almost every haul came relief but renewed anxiety as well. Those standing on shore could hardly take the suspense. Some clutched their hands in silent prayer, others shouting words of encouragement. The crowd had a collective hope that the ice would just hold out a bit longer, long enough for the rescuer and dog to get to safety.
The dog, alerting its proximity to dry land, remained calm and depended on the steady presence of the rescuer. Getting back was slow but steady, with the concentration amplified among every inch closer to shore, where the tension released at each inch, until everybody breathed a sigh of relief when they reached dry land. This was the triumphant and exhilarating moment, when at last rescuers could help dog and daring rescuer off the ice. The crowd began to applaud enthusiastically.
