In Goiás, Brazil, a quiet afternoon of pool maintenance turned into a life-or-death rescue when Vinicius Orlando, a longtime swimming pool attendant, arrived at a client’s home and discovered their beloved dog, Choquito, at the bottom of the pool.

A Routine Visit Turns Into a Crisis

Orlando had been cleaning this family’s pool for three years, and he’d grown accustomed to being greeted by Choquito every time he arrived. On this day, however, the dog was nowhere in sight.

“I thought it was strange,” Orlando told The Dodo. “When I approached the pool, I saw the pool cover was wet and immediately thought, ‘He’s in there.’”

Peering through the water, Orlando spotted Choquito lying motionless at the bottom.

The Heroic Rescue

Security camera footage captured the chilling moment Orlando uncovered the pool and jumped into action.

“He was already unconscious when I found him,” Orlando said. “I started massaging his belly, and he began to recover.”

Orlando performed improvised CPR on the dog, pumping his chest and pressing gently on his belly to force out the water. After tense moments, Choquito stirred — against all odds, he was alive.

A Narrow Escape

Later, the family reviewed the footage and learned the full story: Choquito had slipped beneath the pool cover, struggled for 40 minutes to stay afloat, and finally sank to the bottom.

By sheer luck, Orlando arrived just one minute later — the exact window that saved the dog’s life.

Recovery and Relief

After Choquito showed signs of life, Orlando quickly called the family. The owner rushed home and took the dog straight to the vet, where he underwent tests and monitoring.

“All the necessary tests were performed, and now Choquito is doing very well,” Orlando confirmed.

A Life Saved by Instinct and Timing

Had Orlando arrived even a minute later, the outcome would have been tragic. Instead, his quick instincts and refusal to hesitate made the difference between life and death.

“I’m very happy that everything worked out,” Orlando said.

For the family, Choquito isn’t just a pet — he’s family. And thanks to the bravery of their pool cleaner turned hero, their four-legged friend gets a second chance at life.