Ten years ago, a malnourished boxer puppy was taken in by the Beam family and enhanced their lives with her unconditional love.

The dog named Lolo (also goes by Yo-yo) enjoys roaming the Georgia farm where she lives with her humans and other dog siblings. But one day she didn’t return home and her family began to worry.

Her mom, Sarah, thought Lolo was out “chasing squirrels”, but when she didn’t come home the family knew something was wrong. The next morning one of the children, Hazel, discovered her and ran home for help.

“She was yelling, and there was unmistakable fear in her voice as she managed to choke out that Lolo (our missing boxer) had fallen into the old well,” recalled Sarah.

When the family moved to the property, they covered the old well with boards and wire, but unknown to them, the wood had rotted and there was a hole. Lolo fell down the 35-foot well and into 8 feet of putrid water.

Panic set in and they immediately called for help. Sarah arrived at the abandoned well to encourage her beloved dog to hold on as help was coming.

She kept her focus on Lolo and told her over and over again, “You’re a good girl, Lolo. Mama loves you. Keep your head above the water. You’re doing great.”

Several fire and rescue teams from nearby counties, including Oconee County Fire Rescue, arrived as well as Gwinnett County Tactical Rescue Team. Brush and tree limbs were cleared to make way for rescue equipment.

Hours after the rescue mission began one of the female rescue workers was fitted in a harness and lowered into the well. She wrapped her arms around the exhausted dog and was hoisted out of the well.

Lolo was immediately wrapped in towels and given an oxygen mask as her mom came over to comfort her. The low levels of oxygen in the deep well and trying to stay afloat for countless hours took a toll on Lolo. Sarah rushed her best friend to UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital where she was examined and placed in an oxygen chamber.

She is still in critical care due to fluid in her lungs but is receiving round-the-clock care at the animal hospital. Her family is able to visit and remain “cautiously optimistic”.

The community came together to help rescue the sweet dog and the Beam family cannot thank them enough for their assistance.

Sarah wrote, “It takes a very special kind of person to volunteer and work in rescue services with compassion and skill, and everyone involved was a hero. Thank you for helping us, thank you for being incredible role models of grace, strength, and selfless service to my children, and thank you for working tirelessly to save my best friend dog. I am forever grateful.”