Among all the dog breeds in the world, Labradors have always held a special place in my heart. But beyond just being a beloved breed, the name “Labrador” also refers to a rugged and remote region in eastern Canada. Nestled to the north of Quebec, Labrador is a cold, harsh landscape where the climate and terrain are unforgiving. Despite the isolation and difficult conditions, the people of Labrador live in harmony with nature, relying heavily on fishing as both a livelihood and a vital source of food. It’s here, in these icy waters, that a pair of local fishermen stumbled upon a scene so remarkable that it has continued to captivate people around the world.

Alan Russell, a seasoned fisherman, makes his living by harvesting crabs, one of the many oceanic delicacies found in the region. On what seemed like an ordinary day out on the water, he and fellow fisherman Mallory Harrigan were going about their usual routine aboard their boat. However, that day turned out to be anything but ordinary. Instead of hauling in crabs, they spotted something entirely unexpected—a large iceberg floating quietly in the open sea, but with a peculiar shape that made it resemble a giant mushroom.

Their curiosity piqued, Alan and Mallory took a closer look at the top of the iceberg. From a distance, it appeared as though there was an animal perched on it. At first glance, they assumed it must be a seal, which wouldn’t be out of place in those icy waters. But as they drew closer, they realized this was no seal at all. To their astonishment, it was a polar fox—also known as an arctic fox—stranded alone atop the massive chunk of ice.

How the little fox ended up on that iceberg is anyone’s guess. Perhaps it wandered too far in search of food or was somehow carried out to sea by shifting ice. What was certain, though, was that the animal was in serious trouble. With no food, no shelter, and the ice drifting farther from land with every gust of wind, the fox’s fate would have been sealed without human intervention.

Alan and Mallory, both lifelong animal lovers, knew they couldn’t just leave the creature there to die. Despite the fox’s initial fear and hesitation—likely the result of being cold, hungry, and disoriented—they carefully steered their boat closer to the iceberg. It wasn’t easy, but the pair eventually managed to get close enough to pull the fox aboard. “He didn’t want to come with us at first,” Mallory later told The Dodo. “But we realized the winds were shifting and carrying the ice further out to sea. We knew we were his only hope.”

Once safely on board, the fox appeared to calm down, as if sensing he was finally out of danger. The fishermen quickly made a warm little nest for him out of whatever soft materials they had on hand, doing their best to comfort the shivering animal. His fur was soaked, and he looked like he’d given up—but with food and warmth, the arctic fox slowly began to perk up. They offered him some canned food from their supplies, which he eagerly devoured.

By the time they returned to shore, the fox had recovered enough to stand and move on his own. They gently released him near a safe area on land, and without looking back, he gave a final shake of his wet fur and trotted off—hopefully to rejoin the wilderness he belonged to, and never again find himself in such a life-threatening predicament.

This heartwarming rescue, which took place in June 2018, reminds us of the incredible bond that can exist between humans and animals—even in the unlikeliest of situations. It also highlights the importance of empathy, quick thinking, and the willingness to help another living being, no matter how unexpected the circumstance. Thanks to the kindness and courage of Alan Russell and Mallory Harrigan, this arctic fox was given a second chance at life.

If you were moved by this story, take a moment to share it in honor of these everyday heroes. Sometimes, it takes just a simple act of compassion to change the course of another life—human or animal alike.