The woodchuck seemed grateful for the lift and made sure to thank Wally once they got to land.
“He hopped off Wally’s back a little before they got to shore, and they looked at each other and touched their snouts together, kind of like a goodbye,” Lynde said. “The woodchuck ran up on shore, they gave one last little look at each other and he scurried away while Wally went right back to swimming.”
“I honestly couldn’t believe it,” she added. “I was dumbfounded.”
Woodchucks are usually shy, but there was something about Wally that put the wild animal at ease.
“I think Wally just exudes goodness and maybe everyone can sense it,” Lynde said, “even the animals.”