Rescue crews reunited with Saint Bernard they saved from icy lake in blizzard

FAIRFAX STATION, Va. - Emergency crews in Virginia were reunited Friday with the St. Bernard whose life they saved in the middle of last weekend's blizzard, after the dog fell through an icy Fairfax County lake.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews along with the City of Fairfax Fire Department were reunited with 5-year-old Milo and his family. Crews who saved Milo received a PETA award during the reunion, which happened at Rescue Station 32 in Fairfax Station.

As the snow was falling heavily last Friday night, Milo fell through the ice about 30 feet from shore on Woodglen Lake. Milo's owners were tubing down the lake when he walked out onto the ice, and fell through it. His owners immediately called 911 for help saving him.

Milo is no small dog, at 120 pounds-- but emergency crews were able to hoist him up and out of the freezing cold water, and get him safely to shore-- while his owners watched. They worked quickly to warm him up.

"The ice was a little fragile," said City of Fairfax firefighter David Busch. "We first tried to catch him with a dog collar, but even though I had a tight wrap around him, he squeezed his head out so he didn't like that. At that point, I realized I had to get in the water to help him."

When Milo was pulled from the lake, the temperature outside was 21 degrees with a wind chill of 8 degrees, and there was blowing snow. The two Fairfax firefighters that took the plunge wore ice rescue suits to stay protected from the frigid water. He's one very lucky dog.

During Friday's reunion, Milo's owner said as soon as the divers got there, he knew everything was fine because Milo was still strong. He said the dog had ice in his fur when they were drying him off.

WATCH THE ORIGINAL STORY ON MILO'S RESCUE BELOW: (MOBILE USERS, CLICK HERE)