Saturday, August 18, 2012

Rescuing Missy

Sometimes I hear a story or I watch a news report and I can't get the story out of my head.  Such is the case for me regarding a news broadcast I heard nearly a week ago about a German Shepherd named Missy who was rescued off a 14,000 foot high mountain in Colorado.

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An owner and his German Shepherd, Missy, hiked a 14,000 foot high mountain (commonly called a "14er") together and apparently the weather took a turn for the worse when they were near the top (which frequently happens atop 14ers).  Missy had sustained injuries to her paws along the hike and the owner apparently couldn't carry her down... so he left her on the mountain.

All of the above, I can understand.  Hubby and my wonderful pup is nearly 70lbs, and I would have a hard time carrying him across a level meadow let alone down a treacherous 14,000 foot mountain.

But then, after leaving Missy at the summit of the mountain, the owner "assumed the dog died" and didn't go back to get her.

I have no understanding of that above statement.  I typed the statement, I heard the statement reported on the news, but I still just stare at it in disbelief.  I do not understand those words.

Other hikers eventually came upon Missy... they had to leave her at the top too, but they recruited help to go back and attempted to rescue her.  EIGHT DAYS after being abandoned by her owner, seven hikers eventually went after Missy hoping to find her alive and hoping to be able to get her down the mountain safely.  She was very weak, extremely dehydrated, and her paws were still injured, but she was alive.  I wish I could hug this dog for myself because I'm so overcome with emotion when I think of her on that mountain alone for eight days and nights and then, finally, rescued.

Below is the full news story that I still just can't get out of my head.  I understand an unfortunate situation where you have to leave a dog behind.  I do not understand not going back the next day to get her, look for her, retrieve her remains, find her.

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I feel such a strong responsibility to my animals and cannot understand abandoning them for anything.  Thank you, Lord, for entrusting us with the care of your amazing and beautiful creatures.  Please teach us to be worthy of their affection and unconditional love.

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 Seven strangers went after an abandoned dog, up and down a mountain and through a snowstorm.  The Bible promises that the Lord leaves 99 sheep in order to find the 1 that wandered away.  When He finds that one missing sheep, He hoists the lamb onto His shoulders and calls his friends to come celebrate with Him.

If our human love is capable of this kind of rescue on behalf of a dog, imagine the Heroic rescues God completes every day through His love on behalf of his children?!?!

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1 comment:

  1. What an awesome story, although I too do not understand how the owner could have done that. So sad!

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