An elderly dog ​​was found stuck in a shopping cart in Arizona. The channel was adopted

A senior dog has found his forever home after being rescued in the middle of a canal in Arizona.

Dorothea, a 10-year-old Chihuahua mix, was taken to safety. Arizona Humane Society (AHS) June 16 after he was found on a shopping cart partially submerged in water. animal shelter This was stated in a press release dated Monday, October 28, obtained by PEOPLE.

Calling Dorothea’s journey “an incredible story of resilience and survival,” AHS said that if it weren’t for AHS Animal Emergency Medical Technician (EAMT) Hunter Stribling and the Phoenix Fire Department, the pup “would have had virtually no chance.” survival.”

In its release, the organization added that the dog is “now living his best life with his forever family” in Youngtown, Arizona.

AHS, founded in 1957, recalled Dorothea’s rescue: “A Good Samaritan alerted dispatchers to a dog in distress who spotted her stranded in the middle of a canal, lying on a shopping cart.”

The shelter added that “knowing time was of the essence,” Stribling and the Phoenix Fire team “arrived to the scene and quickly developed a plan to save the puppy.”

“Using a ladder and various AHS rescue devices to get her to safety, the sweet senior pup was wagging her tail when she finally made it to shore,” AHS said.

The shelter continued, “Scared but open to getting help, Dorothea underwent a quick medical examination in the AHS Pet Ambulance where she was found to be dehydrated, hungry, covered in ticks and a little smelly from the canal water,” confirming that she was then taken to AHS Lazina Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital for a “more thorough evaluation.”

The dog was in “excellent health considering the circumstances,” AHS said, adding that it had just been treated for minor injuries and had also “had dental work done to remove a couple of broken teeth.”

The “sweet, loving girl” who loves “cugs and attention from people” was treated to a spa day with an AHS groomer before eventually moving in with her new family.

“While it is unknown how long she was in the canal or why, Dorothea’s incredible story highlights the life-saving work the Arizona Humane Society can do as it cares for nearly 22,000 pets each year,” AHS said.

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Dorothea’s sweet story happened after a two-year-old Weimaraner mix. Nova became one of the many saviors of AHS. in January after becoming stuck in the engine of a 1967 Chevy Nova in Phoenix. A puppy got into trouble after chasing a cat under a car.

It took EAMT approximately 15 minutes to carefully free Nova’s limbs from the vehicle’s engine area. Once Nova’s paws were free, rescuers were able to carefully pull the dog out of the strange place.