At 8.55am on Friday 3 January, Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade was paged for a rescue of a dog that had fallen off the cliff at Quarry Reserve, Ferntree Gully.
CFA's Wandin and Monbulk specialist rope rescue teams and Upper Ferntree Gully brigade were called to the scene to help retrieve Cookie the kelpie cross, who was stuck on a ledge, about eight metres from the top and about 30 metres above a lake.
The park used to be a working quarry but was redeveloped after the quarry closed in 1995, and has retained its dramatic high cliff.
Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade 1st Lieutenant Toddy Small said the operation presented a few "ruff" challenges.
"Cookie had somehow managed to swim the length of the lake, which is a fair effort in itself," Toddy said.
"Then, for whatever reason, she decided to scramble up the side of the cliff and got herself stuck.
"She ended up in probably the most difficult-to-reach spot on the cliff face. Initially, we tried to rescue her from above, but that proved too difficult due to the terrain.
"We ended up carrying rope bags up from the bottom. We then attached a couple of lines to nearby trees and sent two rescuers down on either side of Cookie.
"She was a little frightened at first, but eventually, she calmed down, and we were able to strap her to a rescue stretcher and haul her up to the top of the cliff.
"The poor thing was exhausted, but she was very pleased to be back on solid ground."
Cookie’s ordeal lasted for seven long hours, but thankfully she was returned to her owners needing only minor attention from a vet.
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