When a lost puppy named “Puppy” disappeared while horseback riding in McCleary, Washington, it marked the beginning of a harrowing 40-hour ordeal for the worried family and the dedicated rescuers. By their side was a rookie Search and Rescue dog named Tino, ready to prove himself.
Puppy, a hefty 150-pound Great Pyrenees, vanished into thin air, right before his owner, Karen James. After two days of frantic searching, the James family turned to Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue, desperately seeking help.
In this dire situation, Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue introduced Tino, a promising Search and Rescue dog, to the mission. Tino’s first journey was about to become an extraordinary one.
The trail to find Puppy led them to a muddy ravine less than a mile from Tino’s own home, where he had hurriedly chased after the adventurous pup. There, amidst the muck, only Puppy’s head remained visible, a testament to his struggle for survival.
Puppy’s rescue required the combined efforts of three dedicated rescuers, who managed to safely extricate him from the treacherous mud. “Tino did a terrific job today, finding this old dog stranded in the muck,” proudly declared Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue on Facebook.
Puppy might have been immobilized in the freezing muck for hours, especially if his hind legs had initially failed to function. The vast forested wilderness stretched on for miles, making it nearly impossible for Puppy’s family to find him without the assistance of a search dog.
When Puppy was finally reunited with his elated family at their home, the joy and relief were palpable. He was gently placed in a wagon, safe and sound. Karen James shared with Fox 13, “He couldn’t get out of the muck. Since he was sufficiently off the path, we would have missed him. And you know there’s acres and acres of wilderness out there to search. Otherwise, we would have never found him.”
This remarkable rescue marked a significant milestone in Tino’s career, representing his first successful “walk-up find” after 16 months of rigorous training with Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue. It was undoubtedly a moment of triumph and a testament to the dedication and skills of both Tino and the rescue team.