Police and rescue services were first alerted to the incident just after midday on Tuesday October 27. Within minutes police, ambulance paramedics, SES volunteers and Fire and Rescue officers converged on the scene, joined by half a dozen onlookers.

Among them was Pambula resident Garnet Mullins, who had more reason than most to be anxious about the unfolding events.

“The man down there is my partner Geoff Mills," Ms Mullins said.

“We were going for a walk over at the look out and we were watching whales.

“I realised our dog Roxy had disappeared, so we went looking for her.”

The couple walked along the treacherous clifftop, whistling for their 13-year-old staffy-cross. The whistles were heard by Eden resident Byron Kebby.

“I’d seen the dog over the cliff,” Mr Kebby said.

“I heard people whistling and calling so I said to the lady ‘I think your dog’s down there.’”

To his horror, Mr Kebby watched as Roxy’s devoted owner, Mr Mills, headed straight to the cliff’s edge.

“I said ‘no, don’t go down there mate, far out, you’ll fall’,” Mr Kebby recounted.

“But I suppose he loves his dog.”

Ms Mullins said Mr Mills was able to scramble down the cliff face, but was unable to reach the dog which was stranded on rock.

After some coaxing the dog made a leap towards Mr Mills and was caught in his arms.

But that left both man and dog now stuck at the base of the cliff, a rough ocean in front of them, and no safe pathway upwards.

Rescue teams waited at the cliff top as the Westpac rescue helicopter was called in from Moruya.

Eden Fire and Rescue station commander Nemec and five men were on stand-by to see if they were needed.

“The man isn’t badly hurt,” Mr Nemec said as he waited for the chopper.

“We’re just waiting to see what the helicopter can do. If he needs to be pulled up from the cliff top we’re here to assist the SES.”

Just after 1pm the helicopter buzzed into sight. With expert precision it lowered slowly down until hovering motionless just centimetres from the rocky cliff base.

An officer jumped out, and approached Mr Mills and Roxy.

Within seconds the rescue was complete, with man and dog bundled safely into the chopper and later alighted on the lawn near the Eden Marine Rescue building. 

Ms Mullins embraced her partner and patted Roxy, with all three obviously relieved the ordeal was over.

Mr Mills said the most frightening moment was when the helicopter was hovering above his head as he approached to get inside. 

When asked if Roxy was afraid, Mr Mills laughed, saying the accident-prone pooch will take it all in her stride.

“It’s just another day in the office for Roxy,” Mr Mills said.

“Six months ago she was hit by a car, and before that she jumped off a six metre verandah.”

Mr Mills thanked the rescue teams, saying their job scored “10 out of 10”.

And as he walked away he showed his still visibly shaken partner a momento of his days’ adventures.

“I found this pretty shell down there,” he said. 

Roxy looked up adoringly and wagged her tail.