Manatee Watches Over Nearly-Drowning Dog In Tampa Bay [VIDEO] [PICUTRES]

Residents in the Tampa Bay area heard some weird noises and whining Friday night only to discover the following morning it was a dog trying to get out of the steep river bank, hanging on for dear life.

When police and rescue crews arrived, they noticed a manatee who had been 'watching' over the dog and they're thinking that it might have even calmed the dog or at some points even helped him from drowning.

“You don't see that every day, and it's a great reminder ... the importance of kindness"

The officer who rescued the dog, Randy Lopez said both the fresh water and the commotion likely drew in the manatee, according to Yahoo.

They’re curious by nature so I’m sure the the sound of the dog splashing in the water trying to get up the sea wall got his attention and he came over to investigate, maybe calm the dog and tell him it was going to be alright,” Lopez told ABC News.