Flash, the 100-pond Alaskan malamute rescued from a frozen pond December 15 in St. Charles Township, now has a loving family from Woodstock.
Flash had fallen into the icy pond and struggled to climb back onto the ice. Fortunately, residents from the Crane Road Estates subdivision heard his plaintive cries and notified Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District for help. The firefighters pulled the dog to safely in sub-zero weather. But, the struggle to live wasn’t over yet for Flash.
An emergency call for help was answered by Dr. Joseph Lupo, a veterinarian with the Dundee Animal Hospital of Elgin. Flash had been in the frozen pond for at least an hour, and the veterinarian team wasted no time preparing for the malamute’s arrival.
Warm fluids, warm water enemas, oxygen and an intravenous catheter able to provide medications to help Flash recover from the shock were readied.
According to ShawLocalNews, Dr. Lupo assessed the dog’s condition as he was rushed into the clinic by the firemen:
His body temperature was under 90 degrees, which cannot withstand life whatsoever, as normal for a dog is 99 to 102 degrees. My entire team came together incredibly, and we all were able to do this within a few seconds.
It had basically been all hands on Flash; drying his thick coat, replenishing fluids, intravenous medications and the slow introduction of warming fluids to help his body recuperate. Fortunately, for Flash, it was probably his thick coat which had kept him alive.
And as the dog warmed up, Flash began to wake up.
After a few days of recovering, Flash was more than ready to meet the brave firemen who were there to rescue him from the frozen pond.
Lots of pets, tail wags, and a very happy pup!
After being treated, Flash was fostered by Animal House Shelter in Huntley until his adoption.
The rescue effort was successful because it involved neighbors, firefighters, veterinarians and the eventual adoptive family.
Check out the video by clicking here.
Live happily ever after.
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