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Denver Firefighters Take Part In An Unusual Rescue

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver firefighters took part in an unusual rescue on Saturday.

Fire crews reunited a brand new puppy with his mother after a harrowing experience on Elati Street.

"We didn't know if we were going to get him out. It was a pretty scary situation," Armando Velarde said.

A 2-day old puppy had fallen through a hole in the floorboards. The Velarde family frantically tried to reach the Chihuahua mix while the pup's worried mother listened to his squeals.

"You could see it in her eyes she was stressing; really stressing," Velarde said.

Firefighter Chad Cramner went downstairs and climbed into the 12-inch dirt crawlspace. Pushing through the cobwebs Cramner tunneled underground until he saw something.

"When I first shined the light on it I didn't think it was a dog; I thought it was a rock," Cramner said.

Cramner looked closer, scooped up the pup, and brought him to safety.

"It fit in my hand. He's just a little guy so hopefully he comes out alright," Cramner said.

Reunited with his relieved mother and three siblings, the Velarde family gave the puppy a name -- Lucky.

"Just to have him here alive and alright is a lucky situation," Velarde said.

A lucky family counting it's blessings after a "doggone" close call.

"Anytime you have a happy ending, it's a good deal," Cramner said.

The family says Lucky is doing fine and staying close to his mom.

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