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Rescued from a sewer drain just before drowning, the dog’s ordeal underscores the critical need for swift intervention in such emergencies

The Indian street dog Phoenix was dying until Animal Aid Unlimited arrived to save her. Although the water was not particularly deep where she had fallen, she lacked the strength to prevent herself from drowning. She was in such astonishment that her snout was dipping into the water.

She was barely under a foot of water when our rescue crew got there, but she was already drowning, according to Animal Aid Unlimited. She dipped her nose weary into the water. Bubbles started to form. She may have drowned if we had arrived even five minutes later.

They didn’t know why until they lifted her out of the water and saw that her leg was completely shattered and necrotic.

Maybe she had been hit by a car, was confused, lay in the water in a desperate effort to stop the bleeding or ease the pain.”

Back at the hospital, Phoenix was slipping into shock. Her pulse had weakened and she was suffering hypothermia from her submersion in the water. Although Phoenix’s life looked like it was over, rescuers set to work to save her.

‘ We feared we might lose her. She urgently needed an amputation but was too weak to withstand surgery. So we spent several days stabilizing her–a balancing act between strengthening her, and holding the infection and pain at bay. Her operation took place 3 days later and now – it’s like a miracle…!”

Phoenix had more energy following surgery, and she couldn’t help but smile. She insisted on cuddling our employees and wouldn’t quit wagging her tail. Her healing was excellent!