One afternoon in spring of 2017, an Oklahoma man was walking his dogs along Haikey Creek in the quiet town of Broken Arrow. Just when he was enjoying a nice stroll along the trail, he spotted something unusual in the water.
Initially, Jim Passmore thought a huge beaver was struggling in the water. But when Passmore looked closer, he saw it was a dog with brown fur. The canine was stuck and desperately trying to get out of the muddy water. Passmore realized the urgency and called the police right away.
Shortly afterwards, police officers and some other residents came to the dog’s rescue.
A man attempted to pull the dog up, but he was a bit heavy. Being overweight, the poor canine had submerged deep into the mud—this made the rescue a little more complicated. Moreover, the trapped dog wasn’t too happy when strangers touched him. Not knowing that they were there to help, he would try to attack everyone who approached.
So, the rescuers draped a shirt around the canine’s head to prevent him from biting. A man then tied a rope around the dog, and the police gave it a pull. However, the dog just couldn’t be budged. The police officer pulled with even more force during his second attempt, and finally, he managed to drag the heavy dog up onto land.
Upon closer examination, the police officer speculated the dog had been hit by a car, which sent him rolling down into the creek. He could have been stuck in the mud for quite some time.
The rescuers wrapped the dog in towels to keep him dry and warm before rushing him to the veterinarian.
The overweight dog, which they named Teddy, was a Collie Mix of around 8 years of age, the vet presumed.
As Teddy had bitten one of the rescuers during the rescue, he had to be quarantined for a short time for fear of him contracting rabies.
Sadly, though Teddy was safe and sound, nobody came forward to claim him. He’d possibly be euthanized if he was transferred to the overcrowded Broken Arrow Shelter.
Fortunately, the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals (OAA), a non-profit organization, stepped in to sponsor his X-rays, vet bills, and boarding.
At Alta Vista Animal Hospital, Teddy was terrified when he first arrived. Nevertheless, he was fine. Thanks to his weight, he didn’t sustain any broken bones during the fall despite being lethargic and having a tough time getting up.
“We will also be looking for this sweet boy a home as soon as he is ready,” OAA added.
Did Teddy find a forever home in the end?
Yes! Teddy was adopted by the manager of Alta Vista Animal Hospital. We’re glad he finally found someone who can shower him with the love that he truly deserves!
