Lost dog found thanks to a loyal best friend and some firefighter muscle
Remy knew he had found a new best friend when his parents brought home a Bernese Mountain Dog-Poodle mix two years ago.
Panko and Remy, an 8-year-old German Sheperd are described as “best pals” by their parents Scott and Donna Brinckerhoff of Haddam.
The two are often found close by their parents, never wandering beyond the boundaries of their four-acre property.
So when Panko suddenly wasn’t around the home on May 4th , something very out of the norm for a “Velcro dog,” the Brinckerhoff’s searched the house, yard and even drove along the road calling his name before turning to Panko’s furry best friend.
Using a familiar “find” command — usually reserved for hidden treats — Remy immediately got to work. Nose to the ground, he led his owners straight to a decades-old pile of rocks and construction debris.
There, wedged between a large rock and the ground, was Panko, stuck with only his nose poking out. Exhausted and in distress after being trapped for hours, the dog was clearly in need of help.
Scott Brinckerhoff called 911, and firefighters from the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company quickly arrived to tackle what they described as a “K9 stuck in a rock wall.”
Concerned about causing further injury, crews carefully assessed the situation — first winning Panko over with a few pieces of baked ham.
Using pry bars and teamwork, firefighters managed to free Panko in about 15 minutes.
The moment the rock shifted, Panko burst out “like a Jack-in-the-Box,” immediately greeting his rescuers — much to the relief of his family and even their curious orange cat, Mickey Finn, who stopped by to observe.
Despite his ordeal, Panko made a full recovery, and his owners say they’re forever thankful.
For Fire Chief Sam Baber and his crew, the rescue was all part of serving the community — just with a few extra tail wags.
“This one definitely had a happy ending,” Baber said in a Haddam Fire Department social media post, also crediting Remy for leading the family straight to his trapped friend. “It was truly a team effort.”
And for Panko, it was a reminder that sometimes the best heroes come with four legs — and a very good nose.
( Information, photos and quotes from this story came from the Haddam Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page)
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