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On a cold February day, while Valentine’s festivities filled the air with warmth and affection, a different kind of love—one rooted in empathy and selflessness—was demonstrated by a Buffalo local named Don Chatten. What began as a routine dog walk soon transformed into a life-or-death moment for a small Terrier, and Don stepped up without hesitation.
A lifelong resident of Buffalo, Don is no stranger to the icy conditions that grip the region in winter. He’s also no stranger to dogs. With two rescue pups, Duke and Milo, by his side, Don is often found at Ellicott Creek Park’s Bark Park, a local haven for dog lovers and their four-legged companions.
On that particular day, Don had taken his usual afternoon trip to the park. As he prepared to head home with Duke and Milo, an unfamiliar man approached him, visibly distressed. His dog, a Terrier named Jackson, had vanished, and he was desperate for help. Without pause, Don offered his assistance. They agreed to search different areas of the park in hopes of finding the missing pet more quickly.
Don wandered through the park with his own dogs leading the way. Despite scouring the area, there was no sign of Jackson. But things changed when they reached a small bridge spanning Tonawanda Creek. There, Duke and Milo suddenly stopped, their anxious whines breaking the stillness. Don looked down—and saw the small Terrier struggling in the freezing water below.
Two women, Mary Balicki and Samantha Kelly, were already at the creek, watching the scene unfold. Mary suggested they alert emergency services, but Don feared Jackson wouldn’t last long enough for help to arrive. The dog was clearly in distress, fighting the frigid current, and time was running out.
Without waiting, Don sprang into action. He stripped off his flannel shirt and handed it, along with his wallet, to Mary before making his way into the freezing water. He wasn’t guessing—Don knew the terrain well, having spent years in the area. “I kind of crawled up on the ice, and the ice gave away… At that point, I was up to my waist in water, but I knew it was shallow because I knew that park… I knew it was shallow, so I just kind of broke the ice and pulled the dog out.”
It was a struggle to get back to shore. With each step, Don had to push through fragile layers of ice, his body soaking wet and his breath growing short. Still, he held tightly to Jackson and made his way back.
Both Mary and Samantha stood in awe. “Not many people would jump in for someone else’s dog,” Mary told The Buffalo News. “He just saw a situation, and he just handled it.”
After the rescue, Jackson’s owner appeared and quickly rushed the soaked, shivering dog to the veterinarian. Fortunately, the terrier was unharmed, aside from being cold and frightened.
Word of the daring rescue spread quickly. Samantha posted pictures on Facebook, where people praised Don for his courage. Many hailed him as a hero. But Don remained humble. “I just did the grunt work,” he said, insisting that Duke and Milo were the true heroes for spotting the dog in trouble.
Three months later, Don received formal recognition for his actions. The American Red Cross of Western and Central New York presented him with the Animal Rescue Hero Award—an honor well-deserved for someone who didn’t think twice about plunging into icy waters to save a stranger’s beloved pet.
Sometimes, superheroes don’t wear a uniform or a cape. Sometimes, they wear flannel. Thank you, Don, for your quick-thinking and selfless heart.
🐾 To see the dramatic story, click play below 🐾
