Rick Haley:I had stayed on the surface, in case of any problems below.
Keene:About 20 minutes in, I heard the kids up ahead call, Hey, theres adog!
She was so weak, all she could do was lift her head.
Jeff Bohnert:Abby is a 14-year-old poodle-hound mix.
One night in June, our other dog came home without her.
We looked all over for Abby, but it was like she had vanished.
Haley:Gerry came out of the cave and called the assistant fire chief.
He put out the word that a dog had been found, and we entered the cave.
Haley:Abby was skin and bones, but she sat up.
I had brought a leash, but she wouldnt come with us.
Thats when I took out a duffel bag, and she stepped in.
She knew we were there to help her.
Haley:The sunlight must have been blinding for her.
It didnt seem like she could see much.
But when she saw Jeff, she walked over to him.
Bohnert:I picked her up.
She normally weighs 45 or 50 pounds, and she was down to about 20.
I know she must have suffered down there in that cave alone, though.
I wonder,God, whats the purpose in this?Maybe its this story.
It gives people hope, you know?
