A 51-year-old Australian sailor and his dog rescued off the coast of Mexico after three months adrift at sea and traveling 1200 nautical miles were reunited this week after their brief separation. Tim Shaddock and his dog Bella, both from Sydney, survived by eating raw fish and drinking rain water.
According to News9Australia, the doctors who examined Shaddock, said he had “normal vital signs” and that Bella was “stable and very well.” Shaddock and Bella had been sailing on their catamaran from La Paz in Mexico to French Polynesia when their boat had been severely damaged from a storm they encountered, leaving them unable to move and having no choice other than to wait for a rescue. It had been three months at sea when a helicopter accompanying a tuna trawler, spotted the two on the boat last week in the middle of the ocean.
On Thursday, Shaddock and Bella met again in an emotional reunion on Mexico’s Manzanillo beach one week after they were rescued on July 12. After the two were treated medically, Shaddock decided to leave Bella in Mexico with a crew member who promised to provide the dog with a wonderful life.
In an interview with the Times, Shaddock expressed how happy he was to have seen Bella again.
She’s still as lively as ever. i’m sad to lose her… she’s a remarkable animal. i’ve had her since she was a pup, and she just hasn’t stopped following me.
T Shaddock
Shaddock is hoping to explore Belize, and he has no qualms about heading into a dangerous adventure, but said he would not be comfortable putting his beloved dog at risk again. Bella’s dad said he just couldn’t imagine her losing her life because of him.
So what kind of life does Bella have to look forward to? She’s been adopted by Genaro Rosales who has three children and another dog.
Sometimes, no matter how much we may think that Shaddock and Bella do belong together, it appears that Bella has become a valued member of her new family, and we are optimistic she will be living a great life – on the shore!
Live a long and loving life beautiful pup.
