Dog rescues always bring a tear to my eye, but this one is particularly special. Without the help of kind humans, the L.A. Fire Department, and a microchip, this injured mastiff would have likely died. Luckily, her story has a very different ending.
The terrified pup was first spotted by a tourist Santa Monica, California. She called Hope for Paws, an organization that has been saving stray dogs since 2008. Within a few hours, they arrived at the scene, not yet realizing that it would take the help of a community to rescue the dog.
Somehow, she had found her way into a canal.
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There was no way to tell how long she’d been on her own. Rescuers immediately noticed that her left paw was broken.
When they first approached the dog, she growled. For their own safety, they put a muzzle around her mouth, then stepped closer to place a leash around her neck.
Her injury was worse than they had expected. With the extreme swelling, they knew that there was no way she’d be able to walk out of the canals on her own.
Little did they know, a kind neighbor had already called the L.A. Fire Department! Once they arrived, they got busy lowering a cage into the canal.
By this time, the dog was warming up to her rescuers. They assured her that she was safe and gave her plenty of hugs and kisses.
Moments later, she stepped willingly into the cage and was hoisted onto the bridge by members of the Fire Department.
She was in desperate need of a visit to the vet. Even though she was in extreme pain, she was grateful for her new friends.
At the vet, the team got some exciting news. The dog had a microchip, which included her family’s address in Arizona. What’s more, they found out that her name was Tinkerbell!
Her family explained that they’d been visiting L.A. for the Fourth of July. Spooked by a firework, Tinkerbell jumped over a fence and ran away. They searched for her for days, but eventually had to return home.
While they waited for her family, Tinkerbell received a cast for her broken paw. Audrey Hagar, co-founder of Hope for Paws, even signed it!
When Tinkerbell’s family arrived, they greeted her with tears, hugs, and kisses. They’d thought their beloved dog was gone forever.
To see more of the dramatic rescue and heartwarming reunion, check out the video below. If Tinkerbell hadn’t been microchipped, it’s unlikely that she ever would have found her family.
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