A call from a concerned neighbor set a lifesaving rescue in motion: a large stray dog trapped in an abandoned swimming pool, struggling to stay afloat. No one knew how long he’d been there or how much longer he could keep swimming.
City of Asheville fire officials dispatched to the area, racing to the scene with lights flashing. They arrived at an abandoned house that had an old above-ground pool tucked behind it. Mosquitos swarmed over dark green water, brimming with algae and debris. It had been neglected for months and was likely filled with bacteria.
The dog’s head was just visible above the edge of the pool, his paws clinging desperately to the side. Working together, the fire officials guided him toward the porch side of the pool, where rescue officials were able to lift the 65-pound dog to safety.
“The dog looked like he had been in there for a while,” said one of the officers. “He had some damage to his poor toenails and he was exhausted — completely exhausted.”
The dog, aptly named Tank for his size and determination to survive, came to Asheville Humane Society soon after. Unsure what contaminated pool water he may have ingested, our medical team performed a full evaluation. Thanks to their quick action and expert care, the only lingering effect was a mild respiratory infection that cleared up after a few days of TLC from our staff.
When no one came forward to claim Tank, a new mission began: help him heal, learn some canine manners, and find a forever home. Like many stray dogs, Tank had little socialization or training. His size, strength, and lack of impulse control made him a challenge.
That’s where teamwork changed everything.
Our Behavior team and dedicated volunteers worked patiently with Tank—monitoring him in playgroups, taking him on socialization walks, and reinforcing positive behaviors. Slowly, our team’s collaborative efforts transformed Tank from chaos machine to a (still high-energy but manageable) lovebug.
Tank shows that while rescue is an event, recovery is a journey.
For him, that path led from contaminated water, through medical triage, and onto the training field where he learned to be a dog again.
With a resilient spirit (and a great sense of irony), Tank decided he still loved water—just on his own terms. During each playgroup, we constantly found him plopping into the dog area’s kiddie pool with no hint of trepidation or fear.
Before long, Tank found what every animal deserves: a loving home. Today, he’s thriving with his adopter, safe, cherished, and far removed from the danger of that abandoned pool.
