‘Miracle’ Dog Rescued Alive from Underground Cave in Virginia
Posted on July 18, 2024
The spotlight today is on a heartwarming dog rescue story from Narrows, Virginia, where a dog was found alive in an underground cave after a 50-foot plunge.
The miraculous rescue took place when a team of cave explorers discovered the dog in an underground cave scattered with animal remains.
Image Credit: Giles County Animal Shelter
Jesse Rochette, a heroic caver who partook in the rescue, descended 50 feet into the cave with a piece of salami to earn the dog’s trust.
“The dog immediately came over to me and ate the salami. She loved it,” Rochette reported. The team then swaddled the trembling dog in space blankets, foam pads, and an old jacket hood they found in the cave to keep her warm.
The rescue effort took an arduous 3 hours, during which Rochette stayed in the cave to win the dog’s trust. He then strapped her to his chest and together they made their ascent. Upon reaching the surface, the dog was quickly taken to Virginia Tech’s Vet School.
Image Credit: Giles County Animal Shelter
Following a series of tests and x-rays, it was confirmed that the dog, named Sparsy by her rescuer, had incredibly sustained no broken bones. She was diagnosed with Lyme disease, some spinal inflammation, and temporary difficulty using her back legs.
“Her HERO Jesse came by today to check on her!” the shelter reported. “And has lovingly named her Sparsy (AKA SPAR-C; Small Party Assisted Rescue- Canine).”
Presently, Sparsy is recovering well under the expert care of the veterinary team. The search for her owner is still ongoing, but in the meantime, she’s well taken care of and receiving the best possible care.
