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Flirting With Flight At TIA: Dog Survives 6-Story Fall
Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH
Clayton Tieman of Largo tried to grab his 2-year old Labrador, Jet, as he watched him fly off the parking garage at TIA.
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Published: February 8, 2008
Updated: 02/08/2008 12:11 am
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TAMPA - Airport police call it "the miracle landing" at Tampa International.
A 65-pound Labrador retriever, without benefit of an airplane or parachute, flew from the top of an airport parking deck six stories down - and survived.
Perhaps it was luck. Perhaps it was a miracle. Or maybe the 2-year-old dog from Largo simply lived up to his name.
"Jet is doing great and has made a full recovery," said Clayton Tieman, who with his wife Jessica chose their dog's name for the rich black of his coat, not for his flying abilities.
"I think I'll name my next dog Scooter or something more grounded."
Although the adventure took place Dec. 31, the story of his 60- to 80-foot tumble is still the talk of the veterinary office where he was treated. When they checked him out, he had cuts and bruises, but no broken bones.
"It was definitely unusual," said Lisa Thomson, Florida Veterinary's client care coordinator. "That's a fall from a pretty high story. It's all the luck of the draw.
"It all depends on how they land."
It all began as an afternoon family outing to pick up Jessica Tieman's parents and brother, who were flying in from New York.
Clayton Tieman was standing on the top of an airport parking deck, alongside the 4-foot retaining wall on the ninth floor. Jet escaped from the family's truck and sped to his master.
The Labrador apparently was running too fast to keep from hitting the wall, so he leaped. Tieman yelled.
Jet was gone.
"I couldn't look down," said Tieman, though he's no stranger to mishaps. His business in Johns Pass rescues stranded mariners. "I heard a big thud and a whimper. My wife was running hysterically."
But another traveler in the parking lot a few floors below witnessed Jet's fall to the roof of a third-floor passageway and hollered up, "Your dog got up and walked."
"I called down and told Jet to stay," Tieman said. "He obeyed."
Tieman's brother-in-law raced down to help. The family summoned airport police.
"The dog seemed fine," said Lt. Richard Osborn, the first airport officer to arrive at the scene. "It was up and walking."
The family put Jet into a truck and set off for the vet's office, about 15 minutes from the airport. There, a triage unit gave Jet vital fluids and stabilized him. A collapsed lung healed overnight.
Jet spent New Year's Eve at the veterinary hospital. By New Year's Day, the staff had a difficult time keeping him calm and quiet.
Lee Rivas, Jessica Tieman's father, saw how far it was the dog fell.
"My heart tells me there must have been some angels at the airport," Rivas said.
Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817 and tjackovics@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( Quagmire ) on February 8, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Perhaps they should rename the dog "UNDERDOG"
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Posted by ( brandysdad ) on February 8, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a happy ending ! Don't get me wrong, I Am a true dog lover and the owner of two , but maybe they should change his name to " Stupid "
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Posted by ( Cindy2419 ) on February 8, 2008 at 1:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
WOW!!!
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Posted by ( dakota ) on February 8, 2008 at 2:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Good Story with happy ending! We need more like these on here. Make smiley faces, heeh.
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Posted by ( denmar ) on February 8, 2008 at 5:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a great story.
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Posted by ( shields1955 ) on February 8, 2008 at 6:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Great story and a beautiful animal, so glad to read a story with a Happy ending for a change!! Glad to see that your Baby is alright!!
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Posted by ( Jazz ) on February 8, 2008 at 6:49 a.m.
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Posted by ( T11 ) on February 8, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have a Lab and I leash him because I love him. Even when he is in the vehicle with us, he is leashed for his safety and everyone else's. Think of Stephen King and how lucky this dog is and get out your leashes.
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Posted by ( franco73 ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:13 a.m.
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Posted by ( Palen ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The owners are irresponsible. How did the dog "escape" from the family vehicle? I imagine the dog was loose in the back of a pickup truck, or inside a vehicle with the windows completely down. A dog cannot escape on it's own from a vehicle. My opinion is this is a very sad story of people that should not have a pet to begin with.
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Posted by ( Scorpio ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:21 a.m.
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Posted by ( luvco ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Couldn't have said it better myself, Scorpio
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Posted by ( buurt ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree Scorpio I was about to say the same thing!
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Posted by ( MyNameIsJob ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:37 a.m.
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Posted by ( kellieB ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:40 a.m.
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Posted by ( amyw461 ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm so glad he made it. Jet and Daddy are both cuties. Wonder if Daddy has a single brother?
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Posted by ( shaley ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
what a great great story........
OMG.........I would have had a heart attack if that was my dog....
OH MAN......
Way to go Fido!!!
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Posted by ( 1madvet ) on February 8, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Leashes are for stupid dogs. Or maybe smart dogs with stupid owners. The lab and owner both look smart to me. No leash needed.
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Posted by ( Jasmine501 ) on February 8, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Awesome looking dog. And the owner's not bad either. I just love a story with a happy ending!
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Posted by ( Joyann ) on February 8, 2008 at 9:53 a.m.
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Posted by ( dogworld ) on February 8, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
That dog loves his human, which shows how great the human is too. What a dog! Reminds me of my long gone Lab.
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Posted by ( situp ) on February 8, 2008 at 10:55 a.m.
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Posted by ( rocknroll ) on February 8, 2008 at 11:16 a.m.
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Posted by ( walter ) on February 8, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Time to change the dogs name to JET FLEW!!!!!!hahahahaha!ok sorry very bad joke.hahahahah
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Posted by ( DLSmith ) on February 8, 2008 at 12:49 p.m.
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Posted by ( lolalove222 ) on February 8, 2008 at 1:58 p.m.
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Posted by ( solar ) on February 8, 2008 at 3:48 p.m.
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Posted by ( zarkmud ) on February 8, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This story is bogus. This dog really can fly. I have one just like it and it can keep up with a 777 at TPA from takeoff to about 300' or so.
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Posted by ( denmar ) on February 8, 2008 at 5 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
And I thought my dog was crazy. Jet's got him beat. Hands down. LOL
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Posted by ( Xcalibur ) on February 8, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I can imagine this story unfolding with background music:
I BELIEVE I CAN FLY...
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Posted by ( kazabud ) on February 8, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
That dog tried to commit suicide. When he saw more people coming down from NY,he finally flipped!Hey amy,I bet jet has a brother.
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Posted by ( rheabop ) on February 8, 2008 at 7:31 p.m.
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Posted by ( babsnfrodo ) on February 8, 2008 at 8:33 p.m.
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Posted by ( ischmael ) on February 8, 2008 at 9:43 p.m.
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Posted by ( denmar ) on February 8, 2008 at 10:17 p.m.
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Posted by ( 5thGenTampaBay ) on February 9, 2008 at 1:22 a.m.
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Posted by ( dogworld ) on February 9, 2008 at 10:06 a.m.
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Posted by ( chicabella87 ) on February 9, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Beautiful story. Beautiful dog. Hott guy!
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Posted by ( casperandangel ) on February 9, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is why Florida has a leash law..
Thank the Lord that so far the dog is o.k. The "caregiver's" smile does not make up for his lack of caring about the dog's ultimate safety in all situation's..
Not all dog's read the safety manual so it is up to the "caregiver" to protect his pet the same way he would protect his human children..
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Posted by ( ilsunset ) on February 9, 2008 at 3:18 p.m.
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Posted by ( DarthManhandle ) on February 9, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why is this newsworthy. Clearly the dumb dog was suicidal... Next time try the skyway bridge.
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Posted by ( trucker7700 ) on February 9, 2008 at 7:45 p.m.
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Posted by ( Jazz ) on February 9, 2008 at 9:14 p.m.
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Posted by ( g8rfan ) on February 10, 2008 at 9:51 a.m.
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Posted by ( Scorpio ) on February 10, 2008 at 4:07 p.m.
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Posted by ( nykrfan ) on February 10, 2008 at 4:41 p.m.
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Posted by ( denmar ) on February 11, 2008 at 10:27 a.m.
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Posted by ( Scorpio ) on February 11, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Denmar,
Thank you! You are so right, there are always idiots that delight in being critical and negative. I need to disregard them and let my desires to choke the living daylights out of them subside. I'll try looking on the bright side... but please keep them far away from me.
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