A golden retrieval: Dog rescued after getting stuck in stairs

Clichés aside, firefighters usually don't rescue cats from trees.

But one lucky golden retriever did get a helping hand from the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District Monday night after getting her head stuck in a stairway railing.

Daisy's grateful owner, Sharon Burr, discovered the dog was stuck after calling her inside from the second-story porch, a favorite hangout, when it started raining.

Burr can't figure out how it happened but thinks Daisy might have been after a tennis ball that had fallen into the gutter.

Using equipment more commonly employed in human extrications or to pry open doors during a fire, the firefighters were able to stretch the wooden banister just enough to pull Daisy out. The whole ordeal took about 20 minutes.

"I am so extremely grateful for their persistence in determining the right method to solve the problem, with barely any damage to the deck and the absolute minimum of trauma to my dog," Burr said.

Prospect Heights Fire Chief Donald Gould said it's all in a day's work for his crew. Over his career, he said his department has rescued plenty of humans - both children and adults - who've gotten stuck in various places. Once, a child got his finger stuck in a gumball machine, and firefighters had to cut down the machine and bring it to the hospital with the child.

"We don't just respond to the emergencies, the heart attacks, the fires, but to all those other things that happen along the way," Gould said. "People call us when they don't know who else to call. That's what we're here for."

Daisy, who remained calm during the extrication, is happily enjoying her fifth birthday today, Burr said.

And, in case you're wondering, no, Burr won't be charged for services rendered. Gould said the department only charges for ambulance transports.