Soggy doggy rescue

The Spokane Fire Department’s technical rescue team pulled a cold and tired dog from the Spokane River Wednesday afternoon in Riverfront Park.

The dog apparently fell down a steep embankment and was spotted swimming in the river near Canada Island, said Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “It was an animal in distress,” Schaeffer said. “The only way to rescue the animal safely was to treat it as we would a human.”

Firefighters used their equipment to get down the embankment and save the dog. A harness was fashioned for the dog and firefighter/paramedic Kelly Hoyt held the dog as he was pulled up the steep slope.

The dog appeared tired and didn’t struggle, Schaeffer said. “I think the dog was ve ry surprised and looking for some help,” he said. Nina Culver, SR

While on my afternoon walk yesterday, I spotted not one, but two, adorable dogs roaming my ‘hood. Both had collars and tags, both ran off when I tried to check them. Have you ever lost a pet?