VIDEO: California lifeguard rescues stranded puppy with surfboard at Long Beach

A heartwarming video captured the moment a brave California lifeguard entered the ocean on Saturday evening to rescue a small dog that was spotted swimming out to sea. 

At around 6 p.m. on Saturday, Long Beach lifeguards were alerted about a small puppy running loose in the Junipero Beach parking lot, according to a statement from the Long Beach Fire Department. 

By the time the lifeguards arrived, the small puppy had made its way to the beach and into the ocean, swimming away from shore. 

One of the lifeguards sprung into action, put on his wetsuit, and grabbed his board to go in after the puppy to bring him back to safety, despite water temperatures of around 54 degrees. 

The dog swam all the way out to the swim line. When the lifeguard got close enough to the small animal, he placed it on his board and carried him back to shore. 

The footage shows the soaking wet puppy on the hoard, being held down by the lifeguard as he uses his free hand to swim to shore. 

Because the dog’s owner was not immediately located, the animal was placed in the custody of Animal Care Services. 

However, a follow-up Facebook post by the Long Beach Fire Department said that the puppy had finally been reunited with its owner.