Dog blown off balcony survives fall

NEW YORK, May 16 (UPI) -- A dog survived going airborne in New York after a gust of wind blew him from an 11th-floor apartment terrace to a rooftop five stories below, his owner said.

Alfie, a 4-year-old, 10-pound silky terrier, emerged from the ordeal with only bruises, scratches and a cut lip, the New York Post reported Sunday.

He was swept from the Manhattan apartment terrace of owner Sarann Lindenauer, 67, during a May 3 thunderstorm, the newspaper said.

"It had to be a horrible, horrible quick wind," Lindenauer said, "because he definitely doesn't jump."

"It was like 'The Wizard of Oz,' and he was Toto," Jessica Gould, a neighbor who rescued Alfie, said.

Lindenauer says both she and Alfie have learned some lessons.

"I always keep my (terrace) door open, but no more," she said. "He doesn't exactly love being out there now."