Miraculous Mutt Wins Round of Apaws

Poland has a new celebrity - a four-legged fellow called Baltic. Indeed, so incredible is the furry chap's story that he has melted hearts around the world.

The canine first caught the public's attention on January 23rd, when he was spotted sailing down the River Vistula on an ice floe near the ancient town of Grudziadz. Alarmed residents phoned the fire brigade, but help came too late.

It seemed that the dog had disappeared without trace, but two days later, a vessel belonging to Gdynia's Sea Fisheries Institute had an extraordinary encounter on the high seas. The crew had no knowledge of a missing dog, and when they caught sight of a furry creature on an ice floe - some 15 miles from land - they assumed it was a seal. They could hardly believe their eyes when they discovered it was a household pet.

Getting the dog safely on board was no piece of cake, but after the rescue, a vet pronounced that the intrepid fellow was in excellent health. Footage of the salvage operation instantly catapulted the dog to fame, and many came forward claiming to be the dog's true owner. However, when the dog showed no recognition of these "owners", the institute decided to keep him as there own - he now has his own life-jacket, just in case...