Hikers Discover Injured German Shepherd Lying In South Carolina Forest And Step In To Help

Sandy Harris headed out for a hike at Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina, expecting a peaceful day surrounded by nature. 

She never imagined it would turn into an unforgettable rescue mission. The heat was stifling, so much so that turning back seemed far more appealing than pushing on. 

Still, something inside urged Sandy to keep moving a little farther up the trail.

That’s when Sandy noticed a German Shepherd lying in the brush. As she approached, it became clear the poor dog couldn’t walk because of a painful leg injury. 

With no cell service in the area and more than two miles separating them from the trailhead, there was no way to carry a seventy-five-pound dog to safety before nightfall. 

Sandy offered her some food and water, gently reassuring her that she would return. Later that evening, she shared the situation online, hoping to find help for the stranded pup.

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 the next morning, a rescue plan was ready to go. The team gathered a stretcher, pain medication, and food before beginning the steep climb back up the trail, hoping the dog had managed to stay put. 

To their surprise, they didn’t have to go as far as expected. About halfway up, they met two hikers, Kyle Morgan and Dillon Tatum, who had already discovered the injured pup. 

The men had stayed by her side to ensure 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 struggles Koco faced before are now in the past. She has left behind pain and solitude, stepping into a life filled with safety and love. 

With the same bravery she showed on that mountain trail, she’s moving forward into a brighter future.

Watch her heartwarming rescue in this video.