Rescue Dogs

A lot of times, when we mention that we are rescue dogs, people assume that we go and rescue people – not that we have been rescued from shelters.  We always find that funny.  But maybe now we can claim to REALLY be rescue dogs.

Yesterday, we showed you this picture:

IMG_4039

It was taken from the top of Waterrock Knob, one of our favorite hiking spots, partly because we can almost see our house from the peak.  The trail starts out from a very popular parking area on the parkway.  We notice that many people on the trail are not prepared for how difficult it can be.  After a paved start, the trail turns rocky and often has water flowing on it.  The last section, at an elevation of about 6400 feet (1950 meters), can be narrow, rocky and wet (and icy in the fall and spring).  And unlike many trails in national parks designed for the casual hiker, there are no railings along the edges.

As we were descending just below the peak, a couple passed us on their way to the top.  They were no more than a few feet behind us when we heard a gasp and the husband calling out the wife’s name.  She had slipped on the wet rocks and fallen OVER the edge.  Fortunately, her husband had caught her hand and she had found some footing just a few feet down.  We scrambled back up the trail and helped her back up and onto the trail.

(Human input – 3 dogs connected to your waist belt are not necessarily a big help in a situation like that.  Just for the record).

Hey – human – this is our blog.  Not yours.  We tell the story our way.  Anyway, she had banged her knee up a little, but, fortunately, was safe.

By the way, when we reached the parking lot, a relative of the woman approached us.  Apparently, the couple had called him and let him know what had happened.  He was thankful that the DOGS had come to the rescue.  So pfffffffft, human.  Don’t take our credit.

The Thundering Herd

Rescue Dogs

20 Comments

  1. Golden Boy Luke on August 29, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    WOW.

    FATE gives me the chills sometimes. And that woman was lucky.

    You are very special, because you changed a life today!!! How wonderful is that??? I applaud you!

    And send my love from the Luke

  2. NCMountainwoman on August 26, 2009 at 10:33 pm

    I hope the woman realized what a close call she had. How nice that you interrupted your hike to help them down the trail. Kudos to the Herd!!!

  3. Steve & Kat on August 26, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    You pups are heroes! You should have been on the news. I’m sure your human got to the scene of the rescue much faster with your help. I’m so glad the rescued lady got the story straight.

    Kat

  4. Wild Dingo on August 25, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    see? you got half the part down…the “rescue” part. now you just gotta get the search part down and you could be a herd of search AND rescue dogs… now if they just get the victims to wear raw beef or give them a pack of raw beef they can smack down on a rock and have it release a scent for 30 or 40 mile radius… that would sure help a husky with the search part! 🙂

  5. Denns the Vizsla on August 25, 2009 at 12:06 am

    Good dogs!!! Oh, and, human, you’re okay too.

  6. Huffle Mawson on August 24, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    I’m thinking you probably deserve bravery medals or something like that.

    Huffle Mawson

  7. Brownie on August 24, 2009 at 6:21 pm

    Good job, thundering herd! You are HEROES!!!

  8. Mochi on August 24, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    Great job! You’re all heroes!!! 🙂

    Mochi

  9. the Army of Four on August 24, 2009 at 11:43 am

    Way to GO, you guys!!! You’re heroes!!!
    Love,
    Ammy

  10. Fiona (as typed by Dr. Liz) on August 24, 2009 at 11:08 am

    Heehee! Of Course you are Rescue Dogs! (And personally, I tend to ignore my secretary’s input on my blog – most of her comments are irrelevant and pointless.) I’m glad that you are now Rescue Dogs in every sense of the phrase!

    *kissey face*
    -Fiona

  11. Brice on August 24, 2009 at 11:03 am

    Great Job!!!!! I know that Queen Natasha quickly assessed the situation and signaled the herd to fly to the rescue.

    Brice

  12. Stella on August 24, 2009 at 10:05 am

    I am proud of you guys! Now you can be called Rescuing Rescues, right?

    Keep up the fine work,Herd, you are a noble bunch.

    Kisses,
    Stella

  13. Woodrow, Sweetie & Sherman on August 24, 2009 at 9:30 am

    Wow you guys are heroes – you should get an award or something – so was it the red team that made the save?

    Woodrow – Sweetie – MJ

  14. KB on August 24, 2009 at 9:21 am

    I knew it – your dogs are heroes! And, you never before mentioned it in this blog. Shame on you 🙂

  15. Elizabeth & Luna on August 24, 2009 at 9:03 am

    Good thing you were there to lend your helping hand!!

  16. Khyra on August 24, 2009 at 8:40 am

    I bet it was QANNIK that was the biggest hero!

    Seriously, great work Thundering Herd!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra
    PeeEssWoo: Great job humans!

  17. husky mom on August 24, 2009 at 8:33 am

    We bet the woman made an extra effort to get herself back on the trail so she could meet you guys. (Pet therapy dogs are great motivators for patients to sit up, reach out, walk, etc.) Don’t let anyone else take credit for the good deed you did! You are indeed “rescue dogs.”

    Denali and Rubi

  18. Kira on August 24, 2009 at 8:33 am

    Wooos! I am sure you were much help, after all we pull and with three of you attached to a human she could pull much better and stronger right?
    You all are hero’s in my book!
    -Kira The BeaWoootiful

  19. Ozzie on August 24, 2009 at 7:39 am

    You are such superstars!!! I think that this should make it onto the Today show! Did you get to kiss the human lady after you saved her? That would be the best part.

    OZzie

  20. The OP Pack on August 24, 2009 at 7:20 am

    We think you are underestimating your good deed. How easy it would have been to just continue on but you went back and did what you could – kudos to humans and pups. Note to Mom – we do NOT want to take you on this trail unless we know ahead of time that the TH will be there at the same time.

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