Every devoted dog owner holds their pet dearly, willing to do anything for their safety and happiness. However, managing our furry friends’ curiosity can sometimes be a challenge.
This was the case for Rilee, a dog who one day could not resist exploring a mine shaft on her family’s property in Placerville, California. She ventured too far and fell down a borehole in an instant. When her owner, Kimberlee Adams Norwood Mickelson, realized what had occurred, she promptly called for help despite the panic.
A Delicate Rescue Mission
Upon receiving the call from Mickelson, firefighters from the El Dorado County Fire Protection District quickly headed to Placerville. When they arrived, they were astonished to learn that the dog had fallen 60 feet underground after wandering 200 yards into the shaft.
“Our firefighters have responded to dogs that have fallen down into open mine shafts before, but nothing this extensive or serious,” stated El Dorado County Fire Protection District captain Jacob Poganski in an interview with The Dodo.
With no time to waste, they sprang into action, well aware that this would be a delicate rescue mission. Their experience allowed them to devise an effective strategy.
“Crews performed a permit-required confined space entry and lowered a rescuer to the dog using rope systems,” they noted in a Facebook post regarding the rescue mission that took around an hour and 15 minutes.
“The dog was extremely anxious as the rescuer approached but became calm and friendly upon realizing help had arrived,” Jacob reported.
She cooperated beautifully once they secured a harness on her, aiding in her extraction from the vertical shaft, ultimately leading to the successful completion of this rescue mission.
“The dog was safely secured and brought up to the surface without any issues,” the El Dorado County Fire Protection District joyfully announced in their post.
“Miracles Do Happen”
As Rilee emerged with her rescuers, she wholeheartedly expressed her immense gratitude to those who saved her life.
“Once the dog emerged from the mine, she happily greeted all of the rescuers individually, as if to say, ‘Thank you!’” Poganski shared.
They were thrilled to find that Rilee emerged from this harrowing experience with only minor injuries, leaving her owner ecstatic.
“I’m forever grateful for the effort, care, and concern these guys had for risking their own to save my Rilee!” she expressed in a Facebook post. “Miracles do happen! She’s ALIVE!!!”
The heartfelt gratitude from Rilee and her overjoyed owner served as a poignant reminder to the brave rescuers of why they are passionate about their work. Despite the inherent risks and challenges, the satisfaction of saving a life makes it all worthwhile.
