CHESHIRE — For Nemo, a shepherd-husky mix, Wednesday went from bad to better to possibly worse when a flash flood overran his kennel and he later ended up at the Gallia County Dog Shelter.

A spokesperson from the Middleport Fire Department said firefighters were alerted around 9 a.m. Wednesday of a water rescue on a dog on Ohio 554 in Cheshire. Emergency personnel were made aware of the situation by a passing motorist who noticed a rising creek near a dog stuck in a kennel.

Though firefighters receive their share of crazy calls, after hearing the dog water rescue alert, the spokesperson from the fire department said, “I thought, ‘this couldn’t be right.’”

With firefighters not knowing quite what to expect, they departed Middleport with a four-wheel drive brush truck, a rescue boat and ladder truck, which is stocked with rescue equipment. When firefighters arrived, no one was home and the dog was in a nearby kennel tied with a chain, unable to get out. Heavy rains had caused the nearby creek to swell and flood the kennel until the dog was stranded in about a foot of water. The spokesperson said firefighters waded into the kennel and pulled the grateful dog to higher, dryer ground.

Firefighters stayed on scene until a representative from the Gallia County Dog Shelter could arrive to take possession of the animal. The representative from the shelter praised the firefighters for their effort and said the dog was noticeably grateful to be out, licking the firefighters and playing with them to show gratitude.

Though the representative of the shelter said the situation was likely an accident, the owner decided to surrender the dog into the custody of the shelter.

“He’s a sweetheart,” Gallia County Dog Warden Jean Daniels said of the dog newly named Nemo. “He’s a wonderful dog.”

Daniels said Nemo appears well fed, is healthy and guessed he’s around three years old. Unfortunately, Nemo has arrived at a time when the shelter is at capacity.

Daniels said people continue to drop off more dogs daily, which unfortunately, means some will have to be euthanized. Wednesday evening, Daniels said, there were 28 dogs in the puppy room and 27 in the regular kennels.

Daniels was also in the process of delivering 11 puppies and two dogs to a rescue organization in West Virginia to help save some lives. Daniels has also started a fostering program at the shelter for those who wish to provide a temporary home for dogs to avoid euthanizing the animals. Unfortunately not all dogs will be so lucky.

As for Nemo, after surviving what could’ve been a dire situation, he’s now faced with the challenge of finding a home and becoming one of the truly lucky ones. For now, Nemo’s home is the Gallia County Animal Shelter.

“I hope we can find him a home,” Daniels said.

For those wishing to adopt Nemo or any other dogs at the Gallia County Animal Shelter, call 441-0207, if no one is available, leave a message. The shelter, located at 186 Shawnee Lane, is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, or other hours by appointment.