BOSTON -- One of the Hingham firefighters who rescued a dog that fell through thin ice during the weekend spoke out about the rescue.

NewsCenter 5's Jarrod Holbrook reported that firefighter Jim Sheard risked his life to save a 2-year-old Labrador named Ollie. It was no easy task -- even for someone who runs into burning buildings.

"I've been on the job 10 years. It was the most exhausting experience of my life. Physically demanding, the water was so cold even with the dry suit," Sheard said.

The ice was slushy, which made it like quick sand.

"In an ice rescue you try to lay on the ice and use picks to pull yourself, but the ice didn't hold weight," Sheard said. "It really was inch-by-inch, foot-by-foot try to get out before you run out of steam."

When he finally grabbed Ollie he said that there was an immediate connection, and he could see the appreciation on the dog's face.

"Yeah, there was. He looked right at me. He knew," Sheard said.

Getting Ollie back was even more difficult. The thick slush caused Sheard to raise his arm for help.

"I swallowed a lot of water. My head went under a few times and that led to a lot of complications for me, respiratory wise. I was very short of breath," he said. "I've worn that suit six times, all for training. I never had to use it. I don't look forward to the next time. It was a lot of work."

He said that he has saved several lives in his career, but he will always remember the black Lab in distress.

"Yeah I will never forget Ollie. I never will. Something I will remember for the rest of my life," he said.