Blind and Deaf Dog Missy Falls Into Storm Drain — A Stranger Hears Her Whimpering and Firefighters Race to the Rescue

On a dark evening in Loveland, Colorado, a tiny blind and deaf dog named Missy slipped through a storm drain grate and became trapped underground. But one woman's sharp ears — and a fire crew's fast response — gave this story the happy ending it deserved.

A Whimper in the Dark

Loveland resident Tamara Martin was driving near Drake Court and Larkspur Drive at around 6:45 p.m. when she spotted a tiny, scruffy dog in the road. She and her daughter jumped out to help, but the dog had vanished into the darkness.

"We had lost sight of her in the dark and had been searching around the neighbourhood," Martin said. "We could hear her whimpering after a while and she was in the storm drain."

When Martin shone a flashlight down the drain, she could see Missy: small, less than 10 pounds, shaking and terrified. She later learned from the owner that Missy was both blind and deaf — small enough to slip right through the grate.

Firefighters to the Rescue

Martin called NOCO Humane, who said they could help with sheltering but not the physical rescue. She then called the Loveland Police non-emergency line, who connected her to the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority.

"They actually came within minutes and they were so amazing," Martin said. "I began to worry that calling them was doing too much. But no, they were so kind and got her out really quickly."

Battalion Chief Kevin Hessler confirmed that Engine 45 crewmembers entered the storm drain after checking the air quality was safe, and quickly retrieved the frightened pup.

The Power of Community

While firefighters worked on the rescue, Martin posted about Missy on Facebook and Nextdoor. Lucky for the scruffy pup, her owner had been searching for hours and spotted the post. By 8 p.m., Missy was back in her owner's arms.

NOCO Humane also gave Missy a checkup to make sure she was healthy after her underground ordeal.