'Underdog" Rescued from Plunge into Open Pit Diamond Mine

[magical thyme]

http://abcnews.go.com/International/underdog-rescued-plunge-open-pit-diamond-mine/story?id=20990852



It was a daring rescue involving seven first responders and a rig suspended over the deepest hand-dug pit in the world, an open-pit diamond mine in Kimberley, South Africa.

At the bottom was their treasure: not precious gems, but a little brown Labrador [actually, ihelooks exactly like my Luna -- not a lab, but a Rhodesian Ridgeback] the public has nicknamed "Underdog."

Underdog captured the heart of rescuers after he miraculously survived the monumental fall, tumbling the equivalent of 50 stories deep into the mine several days ago. It's unclear how the dog fell into the Big Hole, as it is known in South Africa's Northern Cape province, but tourists spotted the animal on Thursday.

Further endangering Underdog's life, the bottom of the pit was filled with water. He was swimming around and then found a rock ledge to rest on.

[Arugula Latte]

1. Doesn't look like a Lab to me,

but what do I know.

Good thing they got him.

[magical thyme]

2. Rhodesian Ridgeback or cross...

His face is the spittin' image of my Rhodie-cross, Luna. The wheaten with black mask is a common color for them, along with the white patch on the chest. He's the right size, too. His paws are too big, though. Rhodie's have dainty little cat feet...

[xchrom]

3. Underdog!