A boxer pitbull mix had been left out in the middle of the deep freeze around Christmas Day. She was curled up in a ball, struggling to stay warm, when rescuers found her in Ecorse near West Jefferson Avenue and West Outer Drive.

WOODHAVEN, Mich. – A dog who had been stranded on the frozen Detroit River for four days was rescued Saturday. A Metro Detroit veterinarian shed light Sunday on how the dog is doing and the unlikely thing that may have saved his life. ORIGINAL STORY: Dog rescued from frozen Detroit River after being stranded for days“He’s a miracle,” said Dr. Lucretia Greear, owner of Woodhaven Animal Hospital. Fonzi was stranded for four days on ice in Detroit River until a Good Samaritan -- who wished to remain anonymous -- reached him with an airboat and brought him to shore. He had blocks of ice frozen in his fur, was suffering frostbite, malnutrition and severe pancreatitis.

ECORSE, Mich. – A dog who had been stranded on the frozen Detroit River for four days was rescued Saturday. Trevino said Fonzi was stuck on the river in the cold for four days. “Apparently a coyote came off Mud Island and chased him out further into the Detroit River,” Trevino said. As of Saturday the dog was very sick and expected to stay in the animal hospital for at least five days. UPDATE: Dog rescued from frozen Detroit River slowly recoveringThe Woodhaven Animal Hospital provided an update on Facebook Sunday about the dog’s condition and noted it was doing well.