I just saw a story similar to this on Inside Edition today! A family somehow lost their dogs (a Lab and Border Collie) in a large body of water. They were watching tv shortly after and saw firemen rescuing the dogs by helicopter. The dogs had gone 8-10 miles in the water and their nails were bloody and worn to the quick from hanging on for dear life They were alright otherwise though. I'll try to see if I can find an article to the story.