Archie Bean’s harrowing ordeal left everyone shocked. At just 12 weeks old, this 5-pound Pekingese accidentally slipped through an uncovered vent in his family home in Douglas County, Colorado, becoming trapped for three long hours. Monique, his owner, desperately sought to rescue her dog but had difficulty locating him. This led her to call South Metro Fire Rescue.
3-Hour Agony
When the first responders arrived in response to Monique’s plea for help, the teams from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Plumbline Services jumped into action. However, the situation turned out to be more complicated than anticipated. Archie had fallen through a 3-story hole right into the ductwork. Monique recounted, “I took the other dogs out, and he jumped off my son’s bed into this hole. My son saw him but couldn’t reach him because of the nails and debris,” as she shared in the rescue video posted by SMFR.
As rescuers attempted to locate Archie, all they could hear was his whimpering echoing through the walls. Monique expressed her distress, stating, “Every cry sounds like it’s coming from a different vent, making it impossible to pinpoint his location.”
The rescuers navigated through the ductwork using a small camera to locate Archie, subsequently cutting several holes in the walls for easier access. After extensive searching, they almost lost hope until two fearful eyes appeared before the camera. There he was – trapped in the basement’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system.
Finally Safe And Reunited With His Family
The team rushed to the basement to bring Archie out from the duct. One rescuer gently cradled him in his arms and handed him over to his emotional mother. Archie appeared confused and shaken but thankfully had no cuts or scratches. “That is a prayer answered… He fell from the third floor to the basement without a scratch,” Monique expressed to SMFR.
After their touching reunion, Archie’s owner expressed gratitude to the dedicated rescuers for their efforts in saving her beloved dog. Despite the complicated rescue that sometimes seemed impossible, it was their compassion that ensured a positive outcome!
“As Archie happily reunites with his grateful owners, the community celebrates a tale of compassion and resilience in the face of adversity,” SMFR stated in a Facebook post.
Archie is finally safe and sound with his family, snuggled up next to his canine siblings. Despite his ordeal, he will continue to enjoy a wonderful life in his Colorado home. Let’s hope this sweet Pekingese stays out of trouble this time!
