
Sweetie, the dog rescued from a muddy water retention pond in Happy Valley, has been cleared by veterinarians and will soon be available for adoption, city officials said Sunday.
The rescue unfolded over several hours after Sweetie was spotted in a fenced, one-acre retention area thick with blackberry bushes, cattails and deep mud. She repeatedly evaded capture attempts, at one point disappearing into dense brush and water.
Crews ultimately deployed a drone equipped with thermal imaging to locate her heat signature from above, guiding responders through the overgrowth. Using a large net, first responders were able to safely capture her. Sweetie was treated at the VCA Emergency Veterinary Clinic and later cleared by VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists. She is not microchipped and no owner has been identified. Sweetie will be placed for adoption through Clackamas County Dog Services.