Payalaw and three other crew members spotted the canine swimming towards the oil rig’s platform and used a pole to try and rescue him.
“His eyes were so sad. He just kept looking up just like he wanted to say, ‘please help me,'” he said.
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Before the waves made the dog’s rescue impossible, the crew threw a rope down to the dog and looped it around his neck. Once the dog was onboard, it was clear that he was ” extremely exhausted.”
“He was shaking and he couldn’t stand, he had to sit all the time.”
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Workers cleaned up the dog and gave him food and water. They also welded a makeshift cage so they wouldn’t have to worry about the canine going for a swim again.
They workers also gave the dog a name, Boonrod. According to NPR, Boonrod means “he has done good karma and that helps him to survive.”
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After spending two days on the oil rig, Boonrod was transferred to land where Watchdog Thailand, a rescue group, facilitated his care.
Since no one knew how Boonrod got so far out to sea, it’s possible he fell or jumped from a boat, he was placed in a shelter to await his owner or a potential new family.
Payalaw said if the dog remained unclaimed by the time he finished working on the oil rig, he would adopt Boonrod.
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Since no one claimed Boonrod, Payalaw ended up adopting him and brought him to his home in northeast Thailand.
The dog has since been enjoying his new life on land.
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If it wasn’t for Vitisak Payalaw’s watchful eyes, Boonrod might have been swept even further out to sea.
Pass this story on to thank him for rescuing Boonrod and for giving him a loving home.