Swan Rescue Operation

A couple of local teenagers saw the swan first. There was something that wasn't quite right about this particular swan, floating with his head at a ninety degree angle to his body in the waters of Lake Lugano. The teens and Dachshund Daddy agreed that the swan was sick.

In Southern Switzerland, when you find an animal in distress, you can contact SPAB, a very special Humane Society based in the town of Bellinzona.

SPAB, the Bellinzona Society for the Protection of Animals, responds to emergencies involving pets or wild animals by sending one of their special trucks named after Barry. Barry was their St. Bernard dog who rescued humans from avalanches until his passing several years ago. The Barry truck is an ambulance for animals.

While Dachshund Daddy rode his bike to meet the SPAB truck and lead the crew to the exact location of the sick swan, one of the teens waded into Lake Lugano to bring the swan ashore.

Here's a SPAB volunteer right after his arrival on site...

lifting our swan friend...

and gently placing him in a special enclosure in the back of the Barry truck.

The swan was then driven to a vet. Please send good juju and healing thoughts his way. We'll keep you posted. The volunteers of the SPAB said they will let Dachshund Daddy know what happens.

Update: We are very sorry to share that our swan friend did not make it. The pet-ambulance volunteer said it was clear on the way to the vet that the swan was in very bad shape, but we don't yet know what was determined to be wrong. We do know that the vet helped the swan fly over the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. We really appreciate it.