Mary Arapi called yesterday morning, in tears.
It was the third day a pup she was caring for fell down into a cave adjacent to where the mom had given birth to them. The pup was only fifteen days old.
The fire department had visited the site twice in two days.
It was a no go.
Mary couldn't leave it like that, the cries from the dark hole pierced her heart.
Her friend advised her to call us at The Souda Shelter Project.
And so she did.
Hearing her crying and pleading at the other end of the line, hearing that the fire department couldn't make it down the hole and knowing that the baby was still alive did not give us time to question anything, not for a minute.
I, Elizabeth Iliakis, founder of The Souda Shelter Project, promised her that I would be at the site in one hour.
And I was.
That was when I saw the entrance to the cave.
This was definitely not a job for amateurs.
Immediately Irw Laventzaki came to mind.
Mountain climber, extreme lady, Irw would have to know where to find a speleologist. If there was anyone capable in the area, she would know. That IS if she wouldn't climb down herself, first.
When called she came immediately, geared up and ready to go but the entrance was too narrow, blocked by stalagmites.
That was when, through her contacts, she found Giorgos Mazonakis.
Proper and careful planning the puppy was saved.
She was named after her rescuer. Georgia is one of NINE pups.
All are up for adoption.
Visit us at www.soudashelter.org
or on Facebook at The Souda Shelter Project