Among the exciting stories about furry companions, we have found a story of the Tankersley family, who were able to rescue their deaf dog.
Zoey has been an integral part of the Tankersley family since the early days. The newly married couple welcomed the black lab mix into their home around Valentine’s Day in 2007. As a playful puppy, Zoey quickly became their cherished “first child.”
With her enduring sweet and calm nature, Zoey effortlessly adapted to family life and proved an excellent companion as the Tankersley girls were born and grew up. According to Andrea Tankersley, Zoey’s loving dog mom, the canine’s calm and affectionate manner made her an ideal presence for the family.
Regrettably, one morning, Zoey was discovered missing. The children, who had formed a deep bond with their beloved four-legged friend, were shocked by her sudden disappearance.
Courtesy of Andrea Tankersley
Without the family’s knowledge, the Tankersleys’ two dogs, Zoey and Amelia, slipped out during the night. When Amelia returned home the following morning, Zoey was missing. Andrea Tankersley remembers that perhaps Zoey had found a shaded spot for the day or that a kind person had taken her in, considering her age. However, the challenging reality was that Zoey was out somewhere, and their efforts to locate her proved futile.
The difficulty of the search was Zoey’s age-related deafness, which made communicating and locating her even more challenging. The family faced the difficult task of finding their beloved canine companion.
Courtesy of Andrea Tankersley
The Tankersley family tirelessly roamed the neighborhood, searching for any signs of their missing canine companion, and requested the help of neighbors and friends in the search effort. Andrea recalls the collective efforts of people looking into storm drains at the end of their street to find the animal. The family was hopeful that it might be Zoey.
However, echoing sounds within the pipes made it challenging to decide Zoey’s location. They walked around the area, attempting to listen for any sign of their beloved pet. The family’s confidence vanished as Zoey ended up making noises.
When firefighters joined the search, they arranged a robot equipped with a camera to navigate the pipes and identify Zoey’s whereabouts. The heartbreaking discovery revealed that she was lodged in the pipe, apparently having tried to turn around but eventually giving up. Andrea describes the emotional difficulty of seeing Zoey in such a distressed state, noting that although there was enough room in the pipe, she was too tired to move on.
Courtesy of Andrea Tankersley
It took almost a full day before they were close enough to attempt to bring her out. Initially, the firefighters wanted to use something to help them move through the pipes.
Tankersley said, “We are still uncertain about how she ended up there. Zoey never was a scavenger or chase rodents”. The family needs clarification. Tankersley guessed two possibilities: she managed to wander into a storm drain located a mile behind their house, or she leaned into one near their street and accidentally fell in due to her weakened legs.
Since it was too dangerous to send someone after Zoey, the family obtained city permission to cut into the street and excavate to reach the trapped dog. City workers had to make two separate cuts in the street as the pipe’s path deviated unexpectedly.
The challenge increased as Zoey, of her poor hearing, found the vibrations unsettling and continuously edged away from her rescuers. A robot was deployed while Fire Crew 8 prepared to retrieve her.
The rescue operation extended throughout the day and into the evening, with the team finally nearing a point where an attempt to bring Zoey to safety could be made. Initially, the firefighters planned to use a skateboard to move through the pipes, hoping it would facilitate the process. A volunteer offered his skateboard with the promise of its return and the purchase of a new one by a police officer. However, there were concrete pieces and debris in the way, so the skateboard’s use could have been limited.
Courtesy of Andrea Tankersley
Ultimately, a firefighter crawled through a cut section about 20 feet deep to retrieve Zoey successfully.
She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The on-site crew attached an intravenous (IV) line to Zoey’s paw, a procedure not commonly performed in such situations. Andrea, expressing her gratitude as Zoey’s devoted owner, emphasized the exceptional dedication and competence of the city crews involved.
Courtesy of Andrea Tankersley
The Tankersley family happily reports that Zoey is doing good. Miraculously, she emerged from the storm drain without any broken bones, requiring only attention to address some low blood sugar. Andrea Tankersley shares, “She sleeps a lot, and her back legs still have some difficulty getting up, but that was the case before. She’s solid for an old lady,” accompanied by a chuckle.
The overwhelming support from the community left a lasting impression on the family. Andrea expresses gratitude for assistance, stating, “We were overwhelmed by everyone wanting to help out.” She marvels at the extraordinary efforts of the rescue crews, finding it surreal and acknowledging that while scenes of firefighters saving cats in movies, she had initially perceived them as mere stories. Tankersley emphasizes, “They treat animals like people. They were all amazing!” The family remains appreciative of the exceptional care extended to Zoey during this challenging experience.
Courtesy of Eddie Saldivar, Firefighter from Fire Engine Rescue 8 Crew
The Tankersley family wishes to divert all attention and commendation to the remarkable efforts of the Arlington community. Specifically, they express gratitude towards the police, Fire Rescue 8— the courageous crew that meticulously cut into the ground and undertook a crawl to retrieve Zoey and the dedicated city workers who skillfully opened up the street. Acknowledgment is extended to the utilities department and animal control also.
The family also recognizes and appreciates the kindness of their neighbors, who generously offered assistance and actively joined the search in the neighborhood and pipes in their collective effort to locate Zoey. With genuine appreciation, the Tankersleys highlight the unity and support within Arlington, emphasizing that their experience confirms Arlington as a truly outstanding community.
Courtesy of Eddie Saldivar, Firefighter from Fire Engine Rescue 8 Crew