News Story (Alligator)

Around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, local resident and accountant, John Smith, 37 came in close contact with an alligator while on his daily swim in the Charles River. Fortunately, Smith was left completely unharmed thanks to his unusual but loyal swim partner, Hank, Smith’s 7 year-old Golden Retriever. The faithful dog jumped into the water and swam past his owner, who was unaware of the alligator trailing close behind him, and briefly fought with the 15 foot long reptile, before the alligator became bored and receded back into the water.

As a result of his brave actions Hank did need 17 stitches in his back left leg, however, owner Smith is looking forward to his friend making a full recovery.

“He’s my best friend and i’m never going swimming without him,” said Smith who watched from the shore and notified the police as Hank went face to face with the alligator.

There have been no other attacks from the alligator and it is still unclear as to whether that is the only known alligator in Charles River. Ongoing efforts are being made to deal with the out-of-place amphibian.

Feature Story (Alligator)

Charles River looked the same as it always did on the morning of July 27. There were the same early morning runners, eager to get in some exercise before heading off to work, the same late night stragglers just trying to finish their trek home after a long evening out and there was the same John Smith, 37, taking a dip in the famous river as he had done everyday before that for the last five years.

Unlike other mornings, Smith chose to bring his 7 year-old golden retriever, Hank, along for the ride. As an accountant, Smith decided to begin bringing Hank along for his morning swim once tax season officially came to a close.

Hank, a loyal companion, has always kept a close eye on his owner, so when Smith began making his way back into shore, Hank was the only one around to notice the darkly colored shadow in the water that was lurking closely behind. An alligator in the Charles River. It was not unintentional that the minute Smith dunked his head into the water for one last stroke, his best friend doggie-paddled right past him.

An alligator and a dog, an unlikely pairing and an even more unfair match-up. While the enormous reptile stood 15 feet long with a mouth that seemed to be able to swallow Hank whole, Smith fought the urge to jump into the water himself as he called the police from the shore.

As fate would have it, luck was on Smith’s side as the amphibian soon gave up and receded back into the water, leaving Hank with only the need for 17 stitches in his back left leg and Smith back by his side once again.

“He’s my best friend and i’m never going swimming without him,” said Smith, who is also looking forward to Hank making a full recovery.

For now, ongoing efforts are still being made on how to safely deal with the out-of-place alligator that made the morning of July 27 just a little different, for everyone.