While going about her day in her loving home, animal lover Sabrina Garcia spotted a furry intruder: a little mouse that had made itself comfortable in her belongings. Not intending to adopt a pet, she swiftly caught the mouse and took it outside to release it. As she searched for a suitable spot, she came across a sewer drain and noticed something that made her stop in her tracks.
Rescue Mission
A pair of anxious, glowing eyes peered out from the sewer, revealing a pup who had unknowingly hidden away from the world. Without hesitation, Garcia contacted Suzette Hall, who runs a rescue organization in Irvine, California. Hall noted on Facebook, “They couldn’t believe their eyes when they looked down and saw him. He couldn’t even cry for help because nobody would have heard him.” The pup was named Donatello, and Hall’s team began searching for how he ended up in the sewer.
After some exploration, they discovered a small opening—far too narrow for Donatello to have entered on his own. It became clear that this was no accident. Hall noted,
“There was no way he got down there by himself. Someone had to put him there!”
This unsettling revelation invigorated the rescue team, leading them to a manhole cover that concealed a ladder, just what they needed to retrieve Donatello. Two volunteers descended into the sewer while Hall and others waited anxiously for their return. Moments later, they emerged with Donatello safely in their arms.
“We did it! He was and is nothing short of a miracle,” Hall expressed.
Road To Recovery
The rescue team quickly transported Donatello to the Camino Pet Hospital, where, after an exhausting ordeal, he finally felt safe enough to fall asleep in his rescuers’ arms. The veterinary staff conducted a thorough examination and found that Donatello had been scavenging on trash to survive and had a small towel lodged in his intestines.
Hall said on Facebook, “He was so hungry, he ate whatever he could. He would have died down [there].” Fortunately, thanks to the dedicated care from a team of compassionate individuals, Donatello underwent emergency surgery that led to a complete recovery.
Though his health was initially poor, the dedicated team ensured he received the care he needed, including emergency surgery, resulting in a swift recovery. Although this sweet pup has a journey ahead before regaining his full confidence, his committed human caretakers are certain that with love, warmth, and cuddles, he will soon be back on his paws.
With one more surgery on the horizon, Donatello is eager to embrace life in a nurturing home. Until then, his temporary family is dedicated to ensuring he feels safe and secure, guiding him towards becoming the confident pup he was always meant to be. Hall shared on Facebook, “He is worth it. It’s time he learns what love is.”
