Senior Dog Gets Stuck in a Hole During Bathroom Break — and His Rescue Is Adorable

At 13 years old, Bruiser is a sweet-natured senior dog who knows what he likes — and he’s not a fan of change. But when his daily bathroom routine was interrupted by a home renovation project, the stubborn pup ended up in an unexpected predicament that brought his entire community together.

A Bathroom Break Gone Wrong

Bruiser’s owners, Nicole and her boyfriend, were out of town and had asked a friend to pet-sit. Their backyard deck was under construction, so Nicole suggested taking Bruiser out the front door to go to the bathroom.

But Bruiser, who weighs nearly 100 pounds, refused to go out the front door. The sitter decided to bring him out back on a lead — but the backyard was full of deep holes for the deck’s footings.

“He pulled the opposite way, and his back foot slipped,” Nicole said. “And in the hole he went.”

Bruiser’s body wedged perfectly into the hole, plugging it “like a cork.” The sitter couldn’t lift him out and immediately called Nicole.

The Rescue Operation

Nicole quickly called neighbors for help, and soon Elmira Animal Control and volunteers from the Baldwin Volunteer Fire Company were on the scene.

“He was wedged in pretty good,” Nicole recalled.

After about 90 minutes, rescuers carefully widened the hole and lifted Bruiser out. He was shaken, dirty, and embarrassed — but completely unharmed.

Back to Normal

Nicole and her boyfriend cut their trip short to rush home.

“He was 100% fine, just dirty,” Nicole said. “We got home about two hours later, and he acted like nothing even happened.”

Now, the dangerous holes in the backyard are securely covered, and Bruiser is happily back to his routine. Nicole says the family is deeply grateful for the firefighters and animal control officers who saved him.

“Some volunteer firefighters even contacted me the next day to see how Bruiser was doing,” she said.

A Senior Dog With a Lot of Love

Bruiser’s story is a reminder of the extra care senior pets need — and the kindness of communities that rally around them. While Bruiser may have had an unusual adventure, his happy ending is a testament to quick-thinking rescuers and a dog mom who’d do anything for her best friend.