Hikers Find An Injured Dog In South Carolina Woods And Refuse To Leave Her Behind
Sandy Harris set out for a hike at Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina, expecting nothing more than an ordinary day on the trails.
She had no idea it would turn into a rescue mission she’ll never forget.
The heat pressed down so hard that it made turning back sound better than reaching the top. But something in her gut told Sandy to keep going a little further.
That’s when she spotted a German shepherd lying in the brush. As she got closer, she quickly realized the poor girl couldn’t walk because she had a wound on her leg.
With no cell service out there and two long miles between them and the trailhead, there was no way to carry a seventy-five-pound dog to safety before dark.
Sandy gave her a bit of food and water, promising to come back. That night, she posted online, hoping to find someone who might be able to help.
Her post connected her with three incredible women: Marcy Dimmick and Holly Jones from Labor of Love Transport Rescue, and Luci Daley, a volunteer dog tracker.
By morning, the rescue plan was set. The team packed a stretcher, pain meds, and food, and started the steep trek back up the trail, praying the dog was still there.
They didn’t have to walk as far as they thought. Halfway up, they came across two hikers, Kyle Morgan and Dillon Tatum, who had found the dog.
The men had been sitting with her, making sure she wasn’t left alone, and had even taken turns carrying her down the mountain.
Koco’s leg was quickly splinted, and she was given medication to ease the pain. Even in her condition, she stayed calm and let everyone help her without a single fuss.
But it was obvious that the poor pup had already endured so much pain. Jones shared in an interview:
“I don’t know how much longer she would have even lasted. I mean, she was spent.”
Once she was settled on the stretcher, she drank some water and just kept her eyes forward, as if she knew this team was here to save her.
The hike down was slow and exhausting. Two long miles of rocky paths with a big dog on a stretcher was no easy task.
But no one even thought about quitting. All that mattered was getting the dog to safety. Jonas shared:
“It was such an adrenaline rush. The whole time, it’s like, you don’t have any idea how much time has passed. You’ve just got one objective, and that is we got to get this dog to safety.”
Three hours later, they reached the car, and an hour after that, she was finally at the vet.
X-rays revealed her leg bones were shattered, but surgery later that week went well, and the vets were confident she’d recover fully.
Nobody ever came forward to claim the dog. She had a collar with the name Koco on it, but no microchip. She’s now resting in a loving foster home while she heals.
With each day, she’s becoming more playful and letting her sweet personality shine, as her foster told Jones:
“She doesn’t bark, complain, whine — nothing. She loves peanut butter, treats … rolling around on the floor [and] belly rubs.”
Whatever her life was before, it’s behind her now. Koco has traded pain and loneliness for safety and love, and she’s walking into her future with the same courage she showed on that hiking trail.
Watch her heartwarming rescue in this video.
