Emergency Teams Rescue Canine Shish-kebab
and Other Fine Messes Dogs Get Themselves Into

Saturday, June 2, 2001 - USA

BRANDYWINE, DE — "Woofy" may get an "A" for effort, but she certainly won't be qualifying for the Olympic hurdles anytime soon.

The 11-year-old, brown mutt got herself into a sticky (and painful) situation, the day before yesterday, while allegedly chasing a squirrel.  She hopped a 3ft. iron fence and didn't quite make it back down on the other side.

Early in the morning, a neighbor called the Branmar Veterinary Hospital to report the 50-pound dog impaled on a fence in her back yard.  A half-dozen firefighters and veterinary workers rushed to the scene to find the injured dog hanging on a post.  Firefighters spent about 20 minutes cutting a 3ft. x 2ft. section out of the ornate fence while the vets supported Woofy and reassured her.

Deputy Chief Frank Willette of the Brandywine Hundred Fire Company said, "We kind of propped a stool under her, and a lady from a veterinary hospital was petting her."  He added that the pooch remained remarkably calm during the whole procedure.

Woofy and the fence were taken in an ambulance to the hospital, where it took doctors close to 90 minutes to unhitch the dog and treat her injuries.  The hospital reports that no major organs were damaged, and she's expected to make a full recovery.

Previously a therapy dog at the Ingleside nursing home, Woofy had retired from service several months ago and has been pursuing her new mission "to free the world of all squirrels" (says Martha Olsen, mother of the dog's 9-year-old guardian Elizabeth).

She added, "I have five children, and she has lots of opportunities to escape.  We have met a lot of neighbors that way."

Then, turning to Woofy, she lectured, "I hope you learned your lesson."

Yeah, thought Woofy, Wait for the tail wind next time.