Today’s good news story comes from Tampa, Florida.

For a woman in Florida, a leisurely walk near the water quickly turned into a frightening moment, but also a heartwarming display of love and bravery.

Kim and Kona | Fox 13 News / YouTube

Kim Spencer and her dog, Kona, were by a lake close to their home when a 6-foot-6 alligator suddenly emerged from the water and grabbed Kona’s head with its jaws.

“She’s facing it, it’s facing her, and it jumped out and got her. She was in up to here; her whole head was inside its mouth,” Spencer remembered. “I stopped thinking and just dove on it, jumped on it and straddled it, as lady-like as that is, and was trying to pry its jaws open.”

Despite the odds, Spencer was able to struggle with the large reptile and open its jaws from behind. Her quick actions and fearless response freed Kona from the alligator’s grip.

“I saw the eyes. I saw it turning itself around towards us, and I started pulling Kona away, saying, ‘Let’s go.’ But she’s a really strong dog,” Spencer shared.

Both Kim and Kona sustained injuries and needed stitches, but they are now on the road to recovery—both physically and emotionally. And thanks to Kim’s bravery, Kona is back home safe.

“We just got lucky because just as quickly as it ran after us, it ran back into the water, and we were out of there,” she added.

Watch the interview with Kim below: