For three long days, Shadow’s family had no idea where their little black pug had disappeared to.
Then came the call every worried pet owner hopes for.
Shadow had been found alive, but he was in a scary spot: trapped at the bottom of a deep, narrow hole at a construction site in Northern California.
According to the Marin County Fire Department, firefighters were called to the site around 7 p.m. on June 16 after someone reported a dog trapped underground. When crews arrived, they found Shadow stuck inside a shaft that was about 20 feet deep and only a few feet wide.
The hole was located within a larger excavation area, making it impossible for the pug to climb out on his own.
Getting him back to safety was not a simple rescue.
Firefighters had to use specialized techniques normally reserved for confined-space and Urban Search and Rescue operations. Carefully and slowly, crews worked their way down into the narrow space to reach the stranded dog.
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After what had already been a frightening three-day ordeal for Shadow and his family, the rescue ended with the best possible news: the pug was brought safely back above ground.
The Marin County Fire Department later shared a photo of Shadow reunited with his family, showing the little dog back where he belonged after days of uncertainty.
The department said the rescue was a reminder that firefighters train for all kinds of emergencies, including the ones involving four-legged family members.
“Every call is different, and we’re proud to use our specialized rescue training to help both people and pets when they need us most,” the department wrote.
Shadow’s grateful owner also thanked the crews in the comments.
“Thanks guys,” the owner wrote. “We appreciate your work getting our dog back home safe.”
For Shadow’s family, the rescue brought an emotional end to a terrifying mystery.
Their missing dog was finally home.