A three-year-old border collie who had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming trapped in the fast flowing River Dart is back in the hands of his loving owner. Dodi was being walked by Hamlyns Way resident Lynn Cardwell near the Buckfastleigh Otter Sanctuary at around 5pm last Thursday when he jumped into the river and was swept downstream by the foaming waters. Fortunately he managed to make his way on to an island, but there was no way back to the river bank. After a call to the emergency servicesBuckfastleigh fire station, manager Ian Heywood was soon on site and, realising Dodi's plight, immediately called for help. Under watch commander John Harler, firefighters crossed the river using a triple extension ladder but the collie was too distressed to be encouraged back. A bit of quick thinking was called for and, after something of a struggle, Dodi was bundled into a secure water safety bag and carried unharmed back to his grateful owner. With the drama over, Mrs Cardwell paid tribute to those who had come to the rescue. 'The Buckfastleigh Fire and Rescue service were brilliant and I'd like to say a big thank you to them,' she said.   'My dog had stranded himself 10ft up on a narrow spit of land with the River Dart in full spate on one side and another raging river on the other with no chance of finding a way to safety. 'The team, in life jackets, worked quickly and efficiently in the rain and difficult circumstances, effecting an eventual rescue by lateral thinking or 'thinking outside the square'. 'I was also impressed by their consideration for me, also in life jacket, and their very British attitude of "It's our job, it's what we do".' Mrs Cardwell added: 'The dog is absolutely fine after the trauma, I'm still on the gin!'