On the fateful day of July 11, an emotional rollercoaster unfolded, triggering a rapid response from both firefighters and dedicated RSPCA personnel. Their mission? To rescue a distressed dog from a perilous situation that sent shockwaves through the community.
The clock struck 2:45 PM when these heroes arrived on the scene, their hearts resolute to save the helpless pup.
Trapped and frightened, the dog had no means to break free, but the arrival of these devoted rescuers signaled a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair. Their meticulous efforts would pave the way for the triumphant liberation of the trembling canine, offering it the warmth and care it craved.
The rescue operation was a true spectacle, featuring a symphony of ladders, teamwork, and unwavering determination. These courageous souls worked tirelessly until the shivering dog was finally set free from its harrowing ordeal. Following this remarkable rescue, the dog found itself in the loving care of the Woodside RSPCA Animal Centre, where plans were set in motion to reunite the pup with its rightful owner.
As the firefighters and RSPCA heroes arrived at the scene, their hearts sank at the sight that greeted them—a weary, shivering dog submerged in the frigid waters of the culvert. It was evident that this loyal companion had endured an agonizing ordeal for far too long.
With the tender care and support provided by the Woodside RSPCA Animal Centre and the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Loughborough Station, the dog was extracted from its dire predicament with utmost care and precision, immediately wrapped in warmth and comfort.
The Castle Donington Fire Station shared their feelings about the rescue, saying, “When we reached the scene, our hearts sank as we found the dog shivering in the cold water running through the culvert. It was clear that the poor pup had been there for quite some time. So with immense care and help from the Woodside RSPCA Animal Centre and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Loughborough Station, we carefully extricated the dog from the culvert, providing immediate comfort and warmth. With RSPCA assistance, we made sure that this brave little soul was reunited with its owner.”
The intense rescue mission reached its conclusion around 3:20 PM, as confirmed by the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.
This incident carries a poignant message for all dog owners, serving as a reminder to exercise caution when their beloved pets are in the vicinity of water bodies. The Castle Donington Fire Station underscored the importance of pet microchipping and discouraged individuals from venturing into the water to rescue their pets. Instead, they encouraged people to reach out to emergency services for assistance.
The touching rescue of the shivering dog from the water tunnel is a testament to the unwavering dedication and compassion of those who labored relentlessly to ensure the safety and well-being of this four-legged friend.
Best dog of the year, paws-down
STARK COUNTY — Years of training have come to fruition for a Stark County couple whose dog was named National Shoot to Retrieve Association’s 2023 Dog of the Year on Oct. 28. Dean and Kristy Goodall’s dog, Cowpie, a 5-year-oldGerman Shorthair, took home the honor despite a recent infection that left everyone wondering if she would even survive.
The NSTRA competition, which was held in Amo, Ind., included 192 dogs, Dean Goodall said. He is Cowpie’s handler during competitions.
“You’re facing the best dogs across the entire country and to come out the last dog standing, it’s just an incredible feeling,” Dean Goodall said. “We’ve been so close so many times. But to finally win one, it’s just a dream come true.”
During the trials, two dogs compete against each other at a time. They are put in blinds with their handlers while five birds are planted on 40 acres of land. The dogs then have 30 minutes to find the birds, he said.
“We walk the field, there’s two of us, side-by-side, and your dog has to actually hunt for it,” Kristy Goodall said. “Then, when they smell a bird, they have to stop and point. Once they establish point, they can’t take another step until the bird’s in the air.”
The handler kicks around, until the bird flies into the air and then they shoot the bird. Once the handler shoots, they are not supposed to move, she said.
“Then the dog has to go find the bird, pick it up, bring it in and put it in your hand,” Kristy Goodall said.
Judges score the dog on several criteria, including obedience and retrieval, she said.
During the trials, Dean Goodall could tell Cowpie didn’t have the lung capacity she once had, due to an infection she endured after she competed last year. He wasn’t sure she would be able to finish, let alone win.
“When you’re out hunting, your dogs always have their noses in the grass running full speed through the grass,” Kristy Goodall said. “It’s kind of known to happen where they suck those grass seeds down into their lung tissue. Instead of going down through their esophagus, it actually lands inside the lung, and it creates a huge infection.”
The only solution for Cowpie was surgery, which required a veterinarian to open her rib cage to operate on the infected lung tissue. The surgery couldn’t guarantee she would survive. After the procedure was complete, Cowpie was then isolated and confined for two months while she healed.
“She slowly recovered and then she got pregnant and had puppies last summer,” Dean Goodall said.
The couple started getting Cowpie back into shape when her puppies were old enough to be sold.
“A year ago at this time, I didn’t think she’d be alive,” Dean Goodall said. “Now a year later, here she is winning the trial that almost killed her.”
The Goodalls, who live on a farm near Dickinson, have nine dogs. They train eight of those dogs for hunting and competition.
“You know, you start hunting in September and you’re done in December, and what do you do with your dog the rest of the year?” Dean Goodall said. “National Shoot to Retrieve Association simulates hunting conditions in a trial setting, but it’s a very competitive trial situation.”
They have been competing in the NSTRA trials for more than a decade. Although he quit for a few years, Kristy encouraged him to get back into competing in dog trials.
“I have that competitive drive and I wasn’t going to do this unless I could do it at the very top level,” Dean Goodall said. “So we got after it and we took it serious and we started pushing ourselves and trialing all over and getting better dogs and training better. And pretty soon we were placing in almost every national trial.”
He said Kristy’s success in training horses helped drive them to continue doing better with their dogs.
“Kristy’s hit the top of the world in the horse world — she’s won five world titles in horses,” Dean Goodall said. “Cowpie has finished fourth in the performance national trial before. She’s won two regional championships and now she’s the first dog we’ve owned that’s won a national.”
They run their dogs regularly to help keep them in shape, they said. All their dogs are well trained from basic commands to hunting commands.
“In the fall I’ve been wild bird hunting after work every day that I can get out in the field,” Dean Goodall said. “We end up training our dogs against each other, but they get tired of competing against each other. They know it’s practice. There’s a big difference between the intensity of an actual trial and going out and practicing.”
When they do well during trials, the Goodalls often reward their dogs with a steak or other treat. However, they say the trials are a reward in themselves, since the dogs love to do it.
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