It’s a pretty sure bet that Carl Rose is going to name his new dog “Derby.”
Rose and other Derby, Kansas workers — from wastewater treatment employees to firefighters — helped rescue the black Lab Thursday from the bottom of a concrete tank about 20 feet deep.
Rose, superintendent of the Derby, Kansas Wastewater Treatment Plant, went to work at about 7 a.m. Thursday. One of his employees, Terry Meek, a wastewater operator, was going out to turn on a pump when he walked by what’s called a clarifier pit used to treat water and noticed “that there was a dog in the bottom.”
“We’re standing there looking at him, and we can tell he’s hurt,” Rose said.
Rose immediately called the fire department.
“I had already set up a ladder,” Rose said. “One of my guys was down in the basin with the dog and trying to calm him down and keep him from hurting himself any further.”
A firefighter then went down into the pit, put the dog who was scared but calm over his shoulder and carried him up the ladder.
Throughout the ordeal, Rose said, the guys were telling the dog, “It’s going to be all right. We’re going to get you out.”
The search was then on to find someone to mend the dog’s leg.
The first veterinary clinic workers called said it would be about $1,500 to fix up the dog.
El Paso Animal Clinic in Derby “quoted me about $1,000,” Rose said. “One of my employees’ wives works there. So I called my wife and said ‘We’ve got to do this.’ My wife said, ‘I know, you’re right, we have to do it.’ ”
The Roses lost one of their dogs about eight months ago. They also have a Chihuahua.
On Monday, veterinarians Gary Oehmke and Jeff Herod, who have estimated that the shiny black dog is between six months and a year old, will operate to fix the dog’s leg.
Then the Roses will take him home.
Derby city employees are trying to raise money to cover the dog’s veterinary bills. For information about donations, e-mail [email protected]. Donations also may be made at El Paso Animal Clinic at 233 S. Georgie Ave. in Derby, Kansas. Any money raised above the cost of the dog’s care will be donated to the Kansas Humane Society.
You are in good hands now furbaby! I am sure you will get all of the wonderful, loving care you need to get well! I am sure you will find your furever home with a face like that! Be a good pup! Take care! Tummy Rubbs and ear scratches— give that baby a few treats from me!
awww i rescued a black lab Jan 04 2011 on interstate 95 in richmond va , me and the dog shut down the interstae for a few hours 🙂 state police rescued the both of us it was so worthed
Whoa! That is a very serious fall. I hope the dog is still okay.