Hikers Stumble Upon A Mysterious Dog In South Carolina Woods, Unable To Move
When Sandy Harris laced up her boots for a hike at Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina, she figured it would be nothing more than a usual trek through the trails.
She never imagined she’d be part of a rescue that would stay with her forever.
The sun was beating down so heavily that the idea of turning back sounded better than climbing any higher. Still, something in her gut told Sandy to keep moving.
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That’s when she saw a German shepherd, barely visible in the brush, lying still as if the woods had already claimed her. When Sandy got closer, her heart dropped.
The poor girl couldn’t even stand. Her leg was badly wounded, and every attempt to move brought pain.
With no cell service and two long, rocky miles between them and the trailhead, carrying a seventy-five-pound dog out of the woods before nightfall was impossible.
Sandy gave her food and water and promised that she’d be back. That night, she turned to the internet for help, not knowing if anyone would even respond.
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Luckily, three incredible women responded right away: Marcy Dimmick and Holly Jones of Labor of Love Transport Rescue, and Luci Daley, a volunteer tracker.
By the next morning, the rescue plan was set. The women packed up pain medicine, food, and a stretcher, and started their climb back up the steep trail.
Halfway up, they were met with something they didn’t expect. Two hikers, Kyle Morgan and Dillon Tatum, had already found the dog and refused to leave her alone.
They’d been sitting with her, offering comfort, and had even taken turns carrying her down the trail. Soon, the group learned the dog’s name from her collar: Koco.
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Koco’s injured leg was carefully splinted, and she was given medication to ease her pain. Despite everything, she didn’t fight, whimper, or resist.
She seemed to understand they were there to help. But the pain she’d endured was clear. Jones shared in an interview:
“I don’t know how much longer she would have even lasted. I mean, she was spent.”
Once Koco was placed on the stretcher, she sipped water and kept her eyes focused ahead, as though she knew her new friends were leading her to safety.
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The hike down was grueling: two miles of rocky paths with a full-grown shepherd on a stretcher. Hours passed, but no one dared complain or think of quitting.
Every step was fueled by a single thought: get Koco out. 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.”
After three exhausting hours, they finally reached the car. An hour later, Koco was at the vet, where x-rays revealed her leg bones were shattered.
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Surgery was scheduled later that week, and to everyone’s relief, it went well. The vets were optimistic about a full recovery.
No owner ever stepped forward to claim Koco. Her collar carried her name, but without a microchip, her past remained a mystery. What mattered now was her future.
She’s healing in a foster home where she’s discovering what love feels like. Her foster mom shared that Koco has the sweetest, calmest nature.
Whatever her life was before, it’s over now. Koco has swapped pain for comfort, fear for safety, and loneliness for a family who won’t give up on her.
Just like she faced that long hike with courage, she’s now walking into her future with the same strength.
Watch her amazing rescue here.
