“He was 100% fine, just dirty.”
At 13 years old, Bruiser is a gentle, senior dog who knows exactly what he likes — and he likes his routine.
“Bruiser is stubborn and doesn’t like change,” his devoted owner, Nicole Michell, told The Dodo.
Last week, that stubborn streak landed him in an unexpected predicament. Nicole and her boyfriend had gone out of town and asked a friend to stay overnight to keep Bruiser company at their home in Upstate New York.
Their backyard was under construction, with a new deck being built where Bruiser usually goes to the bathroom. Nicole suggested the pet sitter take him to the front yard instead. Bruiser, however, was not having it.
“He wouldn’t go out the front door,” Nicole said. “So she hooked him up on a lead and brought him out back.”
The backyard was full of deep holes for the deck’s footings. The sitter tried to guide Bruiser around them, but the nearly 100-pound dog had other plans.
“He pulled the opposite way, and his back foot slipped — right into one of the holes,” Nicole said.
Plop. Bruiser ended up wedged in the hole like a cork, and the sitter couldn’t free him.
“Our friend called immediately,” Nicole said. “We contacted others to come help. He was really stuck.”
Local animal control and members of the Baldwin Volunteer Fire Company soon arrived to assist. After carefully widening the hole to get a proper grip, the rescuers were able to lift Bruiser to safety.
“From the moment he fell in to the moment he got out, it was less than an hour and a half,” Nicole said.
Nicole and her boyfriend cut their trip short and returned home, worried but relieved. Despite the tumble, Bruiser was completely unharmed.
“He was 100% fine, just dirty. Not a limp,” Nicole said. “We got home about two hours later, and he acted like nothing even happened.”
Bruiser doesn’t seem to hold a grudge against the backyard holes, which are now safely covered. His family is just grateful for the quick response of everyone involved.
“We were so thankful for everyone who helped,” Nicole said. “Some volunteer firefighters even reached out the next day to check on Bruiser.”