Every true owner loves his dog from the bottom of his heart and will do everything for his well-being and safety. However, it is sometimes difficult to control our furry friends’ curiosity, which can often lead them into trouble. 

This is exactly what happened to a dog named Rilee, who couldn’t resist exploring a mine shaft on her family’s property in Placerville, California, one day. She wandered deep into an abandoned shaft and fell down a borehole in the blink of an eye. 

When her mom, Kimberlee Adams Norwood Mickelson, realized what had happened, although in panic mode, she managed to call for help immediately. 

A Delicate Rescue Mission

As soon as the firefighters from El Dorado County Fire Protection District got the call from Mickelson, they were on their way to Placerville, California. 

When they arrived at the “scene of the crime”, they were absolutely shocked by the fact that this dog fell 60 feet beneath the ground after wandering 200 yards into the shaft. 

“Our firefighters have responded to dogs that have fallen down into open mine shafts before, but nothing this extensive or serious,” El Dorado County Fire Protection District captain Jacob Poganski told The Dodo.

However, there was not much time to despair, but they had to go into action immediately. These people knew that it would be a delicate rescue mission, but they were experienced enough to come up with an effective plan. 

“Crews performed a permit-required confined space entry and lowered a rescuer to the dog using rope systems,” they wrote in the Facebook post about the rescue mission that lasted approximately an hour and 15 minutes. 

“The dog was extremely anxious as the rescuer approached and then was calm and friendly when she realized there was someone there to help her,” Jacob said. 

He also added that she was very cooperative when they tied a harness to her, which helped them a lot to carry her out of the vertical shaft. All that contributed to the successful completion of this rescue mission. 

“The dog was secured and brought up to the surface without issue,” El Dorado County Fire Protection District happily confirmed in the post. 

“Miracles Do Happen”

When Rilee finally surfaced with her rescuers, she wasn’t shy about showing her immense gratitude to the people who saved her life.

“Once the dog emerged from the mine, she happily greeted all of the rescuers individually, as if to say, ‘Thank you!’” Poganski said.

Besides that, what made these people happy was the fact that Rilee came out of this deep hole almost unscathed, except for a few minor injuries. Rilee’s mother was particularly over the moon. 

“I’m forever grateful for the effort, care, and concern these guys had and for risking their own to save my Rilee!” she wrote in the Facebook post. “Miracles do happen! She’s ALIVE!!!”

The gratitude of this dog and the immense happiness of her owner reminded these brave rescuers again why they are in love with what they do.

Despite all the dangers and difficulties, it is always worth it in the end because there is no greater blessing than saving someone’s life.