A hike in Pennsylvania’s Tiadaghton State Forest turned into a four-and-a-half-hour rescue when a senior dog named Sable became too exhausted to keep walking.
Sable’s owner had been hiking the Golden Eagle Trail when a hiker flagged down a volunteer firefighter for help. The man did not need help himself, but his 100-pound dog could no longer continue. Nearly 2 miles from the trailhead, Sable was unable to make the trip back on her own.
After the call was reported to 911, six members of the Waterville Volunteer Fire Company hiked into the mountains to reach her.
The firefighters placed Sable into a rescue basket and began carrying her back. The steep terrain made the rescue especially challenging. At times, only two firefighters could carry the basket. On other stretches, they rotated between all four corners. In the steepest areas, they encouraged Sable to carefully take a few steps herself before lifting her again.
“It is really steep up in there, and these mountains are kind of unforgiving,” firefighter Tiffany Young said. “She was a sweet girl, and she really, really needed us desperately, so we were happy to be there for her.”
The team worked together for four and a half hours before reaching the trailhead. Throughout the rescue, Sable had access to water and remained on the cooler parts of the trail whenever possible.
For Young, who has volunteered with the fire company for 30 years, it was a rescue unlike any other.
“We do not just care about humans. We care about our furry friends. Sable was no exception,” she said. “She was a sweet girl, and she really, really needed us desperately, so we were happy to be there for her.”
The Waterville Volunteer Fire Company later shared photos from the rescue on Facebook, writing, “Not only are we here to support our local humans, but our furry friends as well.”
“We did exactly what we had to do and teamed up to carry this 100 pound sweet girl back to her car so her owner could get her on the road to recovery. We wish you well, sweet girl!”
Young later connected with Sable’s owner, who said the senior dog is expected to make a full recovery.
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