When you set out for a peaceful stroll along the river palisades, you expect to take in the scenery and nothing more. That was exactly what a Kentucky woman had in mind as she walked along the stunning River Palisades.
But then she noticed it: a moving speck on a cliff paired with faint yelps that made her stop immediately.
At first, she had no idea what she was looking at. She moved in for a closer look, only to realize it was a furry animal stranded on a ledge 100 feet above the ground.
Startling Sight On The Cliff
Shocked by what she saw, the woman quickly called local rescuers to report her find.
Within minutes, crews from Mercer County Fire Protection and Jessamine County Emergency Management, including Rope Rescue technicians, were on the scene. Because of the tricky location, the first step was to assess the situation using a drone.
The dog was stuck on a 100-foot ledge with no way to climb up or down, just one misstep from falling.
Luckily, she seemed calm. She stayed still, waiting for help to arrive.
Once the Kentucky crews set up a rope system, they lowered a rescuer over the edge. Inch by inch, he got closer, speaking gently to the dog as he approached.
Eventually, she moved toward him, allowing him to place a muzzle and a harness. Moments later, the two were pulled safely back to the top.
“A rescuer was chosen due to his experience with animals and he was able to gain the animals trust and apply a muzzle and a harness then secure the Dog in a litter and both were hauled back up to the top of the cliff by other rescuers of the Jessamine and Mercer crews,” JCEM wrote in a Facebook post.
The dog was clearly relieved to be on safe ground again. She was taken to a facility for an exam and a microchip scan, and the results were surprising.
She wasn’t a stray at all. Her name was Bailey, and according to her owners, she had been missing for two months.
Long-Awaited Return Home
Bailey’s mom was overjoyed when she got the call. After two months apart, she had feared her dog would never make it home. Thanks to the woman who spotted her and the rescuers who stepped in, they were together again, bringing tears to the eyes of the shelter staff.
“There was a tearful reunion to say the least but Bailey’s mom was so extremely thankful for everyone who had a hand in her discovery, rescue and reunification,” the Kentucky shelter concluded.
Bailey wasted no time racing into her mom’s arms, showering her with affection as if to make up for lost time.
Her mom couldn’t be more grateful to the crews who brought Bailey back.
With her microchip and the quick action of her rescuers, Bailey is back where she belongs, and hopefully, she’ll steer clear of trouble from now on.