It was a wet and soggy start to the new year for one lucky pooch who was rescued by the Victoria Police Department (VicPD) in the nick of time.

When VicPD officers responded to reports of a dog stranded at Clover Point, they found a corgi perched on a small rock emerging from the water 15 metres from shore – and the tide was coming in.

Coaxed by officers, the corgi mustered up the courage to swim to shore, where VicPD were able to identify the canine, called Buckets, and its owner, thanks to its dog collar.

"Buckets spent a few hours drying off and making new friends at VicPD headquarters before her owners picked her up," said VicPD in a social media post.

According to VicPD, they believe Buckets made a bolt for it on New Year's Eve, startled by fireworks.

The dog then ran onto the rocks at Clover Point and stayed there throughout the night as the tide came in, leaving her stranded while her family searched tirelessly for her, said VicPD

An emotional reunion marked a heartwarming start to 2025 for both the family and the VicPD team.