A frightened dog spent hours stuck in deep water and thick brush in a fenced water retention pond in Happy Valley, Oregon — but thanks to determined rescuers using a drone equipped with thermal imaging, her story has a happy ending.
First responders were alerted after the injured dog was found in an enclosed, roughly one‑acre retention area choked with dense foliage, mud, and waist‑high water. The terrain made it difficult and hazardous for rescuers to safely reach her, and early attempts to secure the frightened animal were unsuccessful as she repeatedly evaded capture in the thick vegetation.
Concerned about the dog’s condition, firefighters from Clackamas Fire District deployed a drone with thermal imaging to search from above. Within minutes, the device detected her heat signature, revealing the dog standing in nearly two feet of water and concealed in the brush.
Photo Credit: Clackamas County Professional Firefighters Local 1159
Guided by the drone’s aerial view, Happy Valley police officers and Clackamas Fire crews carefully made their way through the muddy pond and overgrown vegetation. Working together, they were finally able to reach the exhausted dog and bring her to safety.
The pup — later affectionately nicknamed “Sweetie” by her rescuers — was cold, injured, and fatigued when she was pulled from the water, but her gentle demeanor quickly won over the people who saved her. Veterinarians at VCA Emergency Veterinary Hospital treated her for multiple superficial wounds and exposure following the rescue, and she has since been evaluated by specialists and given a clean bill of health.
Because Sweetie had no collar, license, or microchip, her past remains a mystery, and an investigation into her wellbeing is underway. She’s currently recovering under the care of city officials and will be transferred to Clackamas County Dog Services for evaluation and, if cleared, placement for adoption so she can find a new home.
Anyone with information about Sweetie is urged to contact the City of Happy Valley at 503‑783‑3800, and those interested in adopting her can reach Clackamas County Dog Services at 503‑655‑8628 to ask about her current status and the adoption process.
