Golden retriever gives woodchuck a ride to shore in Massachusetts lake

June 10 (UPI) -- A woman visiting a Massachusetts lake with her dog captured video when the canine picked up an unexpected passenger in the water -- a hitchhiking woodchuck.

Lauren Russell said her 2-year-old golden retriever, Wally, was swimming in Lunenburg's Hickory Hills Lake when he encountered a woodchuck in the water.

"He was about 100 meters out and a woodchuck I think just crawled right up on his back and he swam back to shore with him," Russell told WCVB-TV. "We were flabbergasted. It was unbelievable. We couldn't believe what we were seeing."

Russell captured video of Wally swimming back to shore with the woodchuck on his back. She said the canine did not seem to mind having a passenger.

"He didn't even care," Russell said. "He like took a peek back on his back and then just kept swimming."

She said Wally gave his new friend a ride all the way back to shore, where the two said their goodbyes.

"It came back to the island, hopped off his back, and then scurried away and they gave each other a little kiss goodbye. They like touched snouts and then he ran away," Russell said.