Blind and Deaf Dog Rescued From Storm Drain by Kind Strangers and Firefighters, Reunited With Owner

A blind and deaf scruffy pup named Missy was rescued from a storm drain by Loveland firefighters Thursday night and quickly reunited with her owner after a resident heard the dog whimpering — a heartwarming reminder that community and kindness can make all the difference. Loveland resident Tamara Martin said she was driving at around 6:45 p.m. when she spotted a tiny scruffy dog in the road near Drake Court and Larkspur Drive. She and her daughter got out to check on the dog, but lost sight of her in the dark. 'We could hear her whimpering after a while and she was in the storm drain,' Martin said. When she flashed a light down the drain, she could see Missy: small, less than 10 pounds, shaking and scared. 'I learned later from the owner the dog was deaf and blind but she was small enough to just fall literally through,' Martin explained. Martin called NOCO Humane, who directed her to call the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority through the police department's non-emergency line. Engine 45 crewmembers arrived within minutes. Battalion Chief Kevin Hessler said the firefighters confirmed the air quality in the drain was safe, then went down to retrieve Missy. 'They were so kind and got her out really quickly,' Martin said. In the meantime, Martin had posted about Missy on Facebook and Nextdoor. Lucky for the scruffy pup, her owner was already searching for her. By 8 p.m., Missy and her owner had their happy ending. NOCO Humane also gave Missy a checkup to confirm she was okay. The story went viral locally, with hundreds of comments praising Martin's persistence and the firefighters' compassion — proving once again that a community that looks out for its most vulnerable members, even the four-legged ones, is a community worth celebrating.