As she went through her daily routine in her affectionate residence, a committed animal enthusiast named Sabrina Garcia spotted a small furry trespasser.
An endearing mouse had found its way into her home, making itself cozy and relishing all of Garcia’s belongings.
Since she was not in search of a pet at that moment, Garcia captured the tiny creature and hurried outside to liberate him. While searching for a secure spot to set him free, she came across a sewer drain that would provide the ideal refuge.
However, when she got closer, she noticed that another creature was already concealed there.
Rescue Operation
A pair of large, shimmering eyes was gazing directly at Garcia, filled with fear and despair.
It didn’t take long for her to comprehend that the eyes belonged to a puppy who had somehow navigated into the sewer, entirely hidden from the surface world.
Garcia reached out to Suzette Hall, the founder of a rescue group in Irvine, California, without a moment’s hesitation.
“They were astonished when they peered down and spotted him. [H]e couldn’t even call for assistance because no one would [have] heard him,” Hall posted on Facebook.
Giving the pup the name Donatello, Hall and her group of volunteers aimed to determine how he found his way into the sewer initially.
After investigating for a short time, they discovered only a tiny gap, too insufficient for Donatello to squeeze through on his own. It was at this point that they recognized this was no mere coincidence.
“There was no way he got down there by himself. Someone had to place him there!” Hall remarked.
This startling revelation galvanized the rescuers’ resolve, leading them to discover a manhole cover concealing a ladder—just what they required to extract Donatello.
Two rescue team members descended into the sewer to search for the puppy while Hall and others eagerly awaited their return.
Minutes later, the rescuers emerged with Donatello cradled in their arms.
“We did it! He was and is nothing less than a miracle,” Hall expressed.
Path To Healing
The rescue group promptly placed the pup in their van and sped him to the Camino Pet Hospital. Having endured a lot, Donatello fell asleep in the arms of his rescuers, finally feeling secure.
The personnel at the Irvine hospital completed a comprehensive medical assessment on Donatello, during which they found out that he not only scavenged waste to survive but also had a small towel lodged in his intestines.
“He was so famished, he consumed whatever he found. He would not have survived down [there],” Hall noted on Facebook.
Donatello’s condition was not favorable. Fortunately, a group of compassionate individuals along with medical experts ensured he received all the assistance necessary, including urgent surgery, leading to his swift recovery!
This charming boy still has a considerable journey ahead before he fully emerges from his shell, but with a bit of commitment, affection, and, of course, cozy snuggles, his caretakers are confident that he will soon be back on his paws.
With just one more surgery left, Donatello is already anticipating a joyful life in a warm and caring home of his own. Until that moment, his temporary guardians are ensuring that every trace of anxiety leaves his system, helping him regain the confidence he once possessed.
“[H]e is deserving of this. It’s time he understands what love truly is,” Hall shared on Facebook.