By Debbie Emery - Breaking Celebrity News Reporter

A family's love for their dog ended in tragedy when a teenager and his parents got swept to their deaths in the Pacific Ocean trying to save their pet.

The poor pooch had been overwhelmed by huge 10-foot waves while playing stick on the sand at Big Lagoon beach, about 30 miles north of Eureka, Calif., on Saturday, reported ABCNews.com.

"The beach is incredibly steep, and we had 10 foot swells... come through there Saturday, and it is really really steep, so the 10 foot waves smashes directly on the beach. They were throwing a stick for the dog, and the dog ran too close to the water and got pulled in," explained Coast Guard Lt. Bernie Garrigan.

Upon seeing his beloved dog caught up in the mammoth waves, 16-year-old Gregory James Kuljian ran in to save him but quickly got caught up himself. His parents, Mary Elena Scott, 57, and Howard Gregory Kuljian, 54, followed to rescue their son, and sadly all three were swept out to sea.

Miraculously the dog managed to find its way back to shore and survived, as did the couple's 18-year-old daughter, Olivia, who did not enter the water.

The Coast Guard quickly responded and se