Dog who jumped off sailboat near Awenda Park remains missing

'It's a torment because she's over there somewhere and she's so far away,' says dog owner who believes the 'strong swimming' dog likely made it to land

Penny, a four-year-old golden retriever, jumped off its owners' boat Tuesday morning which was anchored off Awenda Park. Anyone finding this dog should call its owner at 705-443-2981.Supplied Photo

A golden retriever named Penny jumped ship Tuesday in the waters off Awenda Park and remains missing.

Christine Ploeg and her husband, Jack, were anchored on their sailboat over Labour Day weekend off Awenda Provincial Park. They pulled up anchor about 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. Half an hour later they noticed that Penny was not on board.

"We turned around and retraced our steps around Methodist Point," said Christine.

Her husband jumped in the dinghy and searched the shore by Thunder Beach and later the beaches of Christian Island and then again at Awenda Park.

The four-year-old dog is a strong swimmer.

"She's a very, very strong swimmer. I believe she would only jump out within sight of land," said Christine.

"I feel she didn't want the fun to end and she didn't want to go home. Water is crack to these red retrievers."

Ploeg believes Penny made it to shore because they weren't far off shore; the waters were calm Tuesday, she noted.

They have notified officials from Awenda Provincial Park, the Ontario SPCA Midland and District Animal Centre and Tiny Township animal control.

A friend with a high resolution drone searched the water Tuesday and didn't find the missing canine.

"We really don't feel she's anywhere on the water."

Instead of heading back home to Craigleith, the couple stayed Tuesday and Wednesday and searched land and beaches for the dog, but haven't found her and have returned home.

Ploeg expects she's on the mainland in Tiny Township, but could also have swum to Christian Island, Beckwith or Giant's Tomb islands.

Penny is wearing a light blue collar with pineapples on it. There are no tags on the collar.

Anyone hiking or biking in north Tiny Township who spots her or finds her is asked to call the owners at 705-443-2981 or the Midland animal shelter at (705) 534-4459.

Ploeg is also looking for anyone who might have a thermal imaging drone that could be used in the search for Penny.

From her home in Craigleith, Christine says she can see Midland when the skies are clear.

"It's a torment because she's over there somewhere and she's so far away."

The couple plan to return to the Penetanguishene area to keep searching.