By Kevin Smith
Earlier this month, animal enthusiast Sabrina Garcia had quite an unexpected encounter when she found a mouse in her home. After catching the little creature, she rushed outside to release it into the wild. While searching for a safe spot, she glanced into a nearby sewer drain and was stunned to see two brown eyes staring back at her.
To her shock, a large dog was trapped at the bottom of the sewer, completely hidden from the neighborhood above.
A Cry for Help
Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29 dog rescue, shared the incredible story on Facebook. “They couldn’t believe their eyes when they looked down and saw him,” she wrote. “He couldn’t even cry for help because no one would have heard him.”
The dog, later named Donatello, made eye contact with Garcia, silently pleading for assistance. Without hesitation, she reached out to Logan’s Legacy 29, prompting a swift response from a team of dedicated volunteers, including Hall.
A Disturbing Discovery
Upon arriving, the rescue team quickly realized how small the sewer opening was, leading them to a troubling conclusion about Donatello’s situation. “There was no way he got down there by himself,” Hall noted. “Someone had to put him there!”
Feeling heartbroken for the trapped pup, the rescuers immediately set to work. They found an unlocked manhole cover and opened it to reveal a long ladder leading down to Donatello.
Two volunteers bravely descended while Hall and another waited above. Moments later, they lifted Donatello out of the darkness.
“We did it!” Hall exclaimed. “He was and is nothing short of a miracle.”
A New Beginning
Once out of the sewer, the team placed Donatello in a crate and loaded him into Hall’s van. On the way to Camino Pet Hospital, he fell asleep, comforted by Hall’s gentle words.
Veterinary staff soon discovered a horrifying truth: Donatello had ingested a variety of trash and even had a small towel lodged in his intestines. “He was so hungry, he ate whatever he could,” Hall reported. “He would have died down there.”
Overcoming Adversity
Despite his serious condition, Donatello had a dedicated medical team by his side. He underwent emergency surgery to remove the blockage and began recovering quickly. With love, a warm bed, and nutritious meals, his quality of life improved dramatically.
Donatello’s health is on the upswing, but he still requires one final surgery to address his inverted eyelids. Soon, he’ll be ready to find his forever home, but until then, he’s enjoying all the affection from his hospital friends.
Additionally, Donatello will start therapy to help with his anxiety, which has made him apprehensive around other dogs. Though the recovery process may be lengthy, Hall remains optimistic about his future.
“He is worth it,” she wrote on Facebook. “It’s time he learns what love is.”
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