Dogs and delivery drivers don’t always have a reputation for getting along. We’ve all witnessed our friends barking at the mailman thinking they’re intruders or chasing FedEx trucks down the street.

But contrary to this stereotype, it is not uncommon for pets and delivery people to develop a relationship. In fact, many postmen really love dogs. Take care of those they encounter on their paths.

In one incident a UPS driver went overboard. In addition to his usual duties by saving a dog from drowning in freezing cold water during one of its births.

Ryan Ahrens, a UPS driver based in Bozeman, Montana, had the experience while on the job before Christmas last year. While driving by a pond to drop off a package he heard desperate cries coming from a dog.

“The dog was howling and whining frantically,” Ryan recalled in an interview with the Great Falls Tribune. “I could see she was trapped about 10 15 feet from shore with ice around her.”

Without hesitation, Ryan decided to rescue the animal himself. “I knew I couldn’t wait for help, I had to go get it.”

Upon arriving at the scene, Ryan observed a man struggling unsuccessfully to reach the stranded dog using a rowboat.

“He made the decision to use the boat as a way to get to the surface.

“I carefully maneuvered the boat on the ice using it to distribute my weight,” Ryan explained. “I carefully moved towards the area where the ice looked thin.”

Unfortunately it unexpectedly crashed through the ice. He found himself submerged in freezing water. At that moment he decided to swim towards the dog

Fortunately, his rescue attempt proved successful in time. “It was about to sink,” he told the Great Falls Tribune.

“I didn’t even have time to think — I simply knew what I had to do,” Ryan shared with PETA. “The vet told me that if Sadie’s temperature had been a couple of degrees colder she would have been arrested. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.”

Back with Sadie at the home of a kind rowboat owner, Ryan and his furry companion warmed up under a soothing shower.

Once news of his brave act spread, Ryan quickly gained recognition as a hero. PETA honored him with the Compassionate Action Award for his courage.

However, Ryan humbly viewed himself not as a hero, but as an animal lover doing what anyone in his situation would do. He expressed in his Facebook post about the situation. “I am grateful that I made the decision that I did regardless of the risk involved.”

Ryan has a passion for dogs. He has owned a Malamute for 15 years. Naturally, he would be thrilled to help a dog in distress. “Animals have always had a place in my heart,” he shared with the Great Falls Tribune. “This incident was certainly one of the highlights of my 14 years at UPS.”

Furthermore, Ryan had the opportunity to meet a rescue dog named Sadie. I was relieved to see her healthy and energetic.

“There’s still life in this bitch and I’m really glad I took action when I did,” Ryan warmly expressed. “She’s a sweetheart.”

Let’s express our gratitude to the UPS driver who saved this dog’s life while enduring freezing water!

Feel free to share this extraordinary story!