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That deserves a round of a-paws.

What started off as a spontaneous visit to the waterfront ended with tears of joy when a Good Samaritan's quick-thinking led to the dramatic rescue of a tiny black pooch who was just a wave-length from being lost at sea.

Barbara Saffing, 36, spotted the curly-haired dog hurl itself into the choppy waters of the San Francisco Bay on July 16 – and then was forced to watched helplessly as the pup treaded water for roughly an hour before it could be saved.

Saffing, an animal lover from Menlo Park, said she was en route to her own birthday celebrations when she made a last-minute decision to make a pitstop at the bay.

'That's when I noticed a dog running towards the water but I am not thinking it's actually going to go into the water. I am looking around to see if anyone is following the dog or looking for it but I don't see anyone. It's just me and I am in my car right behind the dog,' she told the Daily Mail.

With no time to waste, Saffing said she parked her car and frantically tried to stop the pup from jumping in.

'By now I had lost track of it. I thought maybe it was hiding in a nearby bush or something. Next thing I know, I am looking towards the long pier and the dog is standing at the end of the pier, I was like 'Oh my God', she said.

'Right as I am getting closer, the dog turned around looked at me and then turned back around and jumped down the rocky area. I am thinking maybe the owner is down and they're fishing or something.

Prieta, and eight-year-old female Terrier Mix, was rescued after jumping into the choppy waters of the San Francisco Bay on July 16

Dramatic drone footage captured the dog swimming aimlessly around as seagulls stalked overhead

'As I got all the way towards the end, the dog was literally entering the water… Then it just turned around, looked at me and then turned back around towards the ocean and kept swimming.

'I was standing there crying.'

The real estate agent frantically called 911 and then waited helplessly for the cavalry to arrive.

'I am just sitting there crying and praying, 'Lord save this dog.' It's already so far out there, it's like a dot now,' she recalled.

What unfolded next was straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Armed with binoculars, GPS trackers and a drone, first responders with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District quickly dispatched a boat to try and track the paddling pup down.

Dramatic drone footage captured the dog swimming aimlessly around as seagulls stalked overhead.

The rescue boat then suddenly appeared in view, with authorities scooping the dog up in one swift move.

The pooch, who went missing on July 4, only had to be treated for some minor facial lacerations in the wake of the ordeal

Barbara Saffing (pictured) was forced to watch helplessly as the dog, later identified as Prieta, treaded water for an hour before rescue crews could save it

Armed with binoculars, GPS trackers and a drone, first responders with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District quickly dispatched a boat to rescue the dog

'I just couldn't believe it,' Saffings said.

'And the best part was when they brought the dog back wrapped in one of the fireman's jackets. It was just shivering, but it was safe now and I was so relieved. Definitely a birthday I will always remember.'

Despite the harrowing ordeal, the bewildered dog only had to be treated for some minor facial lacerations.

Thanks to her microchip, the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA was quickly able to identify the dog as an 8-year-old female Terrier Mix named Prieta.

The dog's owners had been desperately searching for their beloved pooch ever since she vanished on July 4 after being spooked by fireworks.

Prieta's owner, Mary Juarez, said she had almost given up hope after searching for her 'baby' for nearly two weeks.

'My heart started beating so hard when I received the call from the SPCA team. I had been in so much agony not knowing what happened to my dog. I had gone twice to the SPCA in San Mateo and even went to the Palo Alto animal shelter hoping to find her somewhere,' she said.

Prieta's owner Mary Juarez (pictured above) had been desperately searching for their beloved pooch ever since she vanished on July 4 after being spooked by fireworks

Mary Juarez and Prieta, pictured with one of the firefighters who aided the daring rescue, were reunited soon after

'I was very, very depressed not knowing where she was and even losing hope. I would never be able to thank everyone for her rescue and for bringing her back home. I am forever grateful.'

A few days later, Juarez and her precious Prieta were reunited with the firemen involved in the dramatic rescue, including Firefighter Tyler who was responsible for scooping up Prieta from the bay in what was described as 'one perfectly-timed move'.

Photos of the sweet reunion were later shared on the Menlo Park Fire Protection District Facebook page.

'Prieta's owner was emotional as she expressed her gratitude to all of the rescuers who helped bring her beloved dog home after an especially difficult time in her life,' the heartfelt post read.

'She shared that she had recently lost several close family members and was devastated when she thought she lost Prieta too. Those involved with her rescue were happy to see them reunited again and were grateful to have some time to connect under much better conditions. Happy ending for all!'