She was cold, injured, and hiding in waist-deep water, concealed by a wall of blackberry bushes and cattails. Every time rescuers got close, she bolted deeper into the vegetation. Traditional search methods weren't working.
So Clackamas Fire deployed a drone.
On Saturday, first responders in Happy Valley, Oregon received reports of a dog trapped in an enclosed water retention pond — a dense, approximately one-acre area filled with mud, water hazards, and impenetrable brush. When they arrived, they spotted a female dog who appeared injured, exhausted, and terrified.
The terrain made approach nearly impossible. The frightened dog escaped capture multiple times. That's when the thermal imaging drone went up.
Within minutes, heat signatures on the drone's camera revealed exactly where Sweetie — the name first responders gave her — was standing: nearly two feet of water, hidden in thick vegetation, invisible to the naked eye but glowing bright on the thermal display.
With her location pinpointed, fire crews, a battalion chief, community service officers, and Happy Valley Police coordinated a careful approach. This time, Sweetie didn't escape.
She was transported to VCA Emergency Veterinary Hospital, where vets found multiple superficial wounds and signs of exposure. The prognosis: full recovery expected within 24 to 48 hours.
Sweetie has no microchip and no license. Her ownership remains unknown, and an investigation into her wellbeing is underway. Once she's fully recovered, she'll be transferred to Clackamas County Dog Services for evaluation — and, if cleared, adoption.
Community members with information about Sweetie can contact the City of Happy Valley at 503-783-3800. Those interested in adopting her can reach out to Clackamas County Dog Services.
A frightened dog in an impossible spot. A drone that could see through the dark. A team that wouldn't give up.
That's how Sweetie got her second chance. 🐕
