• Updated: Feb. 28, 2026, 6:48 p.m.
• |Published: Feb. 28, 2026, 6:23 p.m.

Rescuers nicknamed the dog "Sweetie," because of her gentle demeanor despite the difficult circumstances she faced.City of Happy Valley

By

• Maxine Bernstein | The Oregonian/OregonLive

A dog was rescued Saturday from a retention pond in Happy Valley.

Clackamas firefighters used a drone with thermal imaging technology to locate the dog, stranded in nearly two feet of water and concealed in thick vegetation, according to Steve Campbell, a spokesperson for Happy Valley.

Rescuers received a call about noon Friday regarding an abandoned dog. It had slipped through a fence and could not be spotted in the area, dense with blackberry bushes, cattails and mud, Campbell said.

Clackamas County sheriff’s deputies searched for the dog until about 8:30 p.m. Friday with no luck, he said.

The first-responders returned to the area Saturday and said a “heat signature” from the dog was detected by the drone.

“She was a little nervous and apprehensive when we first got here, but she calmed down,” Campbell said. “We didn’t want to leave her until we got her out.”

Fire crews along with Happy Valley police officers helped secure the dog, which they named “Sweetie,” due to her gentle demeanor despite her circumstances. Campbell said the dog appears to be a Pointer-pit bull mix.

The dog appeared injured, cold, tired and abused, he said.

The dog was taken to VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists to be treated for multiple superficial wounds and exposure. Authorities do not know who owns the dog. It is not licensed and has no microchip, Campbell said.

She’s expected to remain at the veterinarian for observation and treatment for up to two days before she’s transported to Clackamas County Dog Services for potential adoption.

Maxine Bernstein

Maxine Bernstein covers federal court, law enforcement and criminal justice issues after spending two decades covering Portland police.