EpicSki › The Barking Bear Forums › EpicSki Community › Community Discussions & Forum News › Dog Rescue on Mt. Bierstadt
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Dog Rescue on Mt. Bierstadt

post #1 of 56
8/21/12 at 11:38am
Thread Starter 

Outside Online magazine had an article about 2 hikers that found an injured 100-lb German Shepherd up on Mt. Bierstadt last week.  She wasn't able to walk and was too heavy for the hikers to carry her down, so they asked for help on 14ers.com.  The second volunteer search party of 8 people found her, loaded her into a backpack, and carried her down the mountain in crappy weather to a vet.  She's in good shape and will be fine.  I loved this photo, though, so I thought I would share it here.  Her name is Missy.

 

 

Evidently, her owner and a teenager took her up there, and she ended up injuring her paws to the point where she could no longer walk on them.  He says they tried to carry her down, but due to incoming weather, fatigue, and blisters, they had to abandon her and get off the mountain themselves.  He did not go back to get her, send anyone to get her, or even check on her condition.  So, she was up there for 8 days before being rescued by 8 strangers who set out with the express purpose of getting her to safety.

 

The owner got wind of what happened, went on 14ers.com to explain why he left her, offer gushing gratitude to the rescuers, and ask for his dog back.  Well, it probably goes without saying that pandemonium ensued on the thread, and it was locked down after a mere 46 pages!  The owner has now been charged with Cruelty to Animals by the local D.A.  Anyway, if anyone wants to read all about it, just search this title at 14ers.com.  I don't want to start the spat here, since it's been more than exhaustively covered over there.  

 

I did want to share the picture, though, since it's one of the coolest images I've seen in a long time, and it's a great testimony to the good things that communities such as this one, 14ers.com and the like can accomplish when they set their collective minds to it.  Many, many Kudos to those risked their own safety to save a dog none of them knew.

Reply
post #2 of 56
8/21/12 at 12:37pm

I saw that on the news a few days ago.  It's a National story.  Pretty cool that there are such great people who would make the effort to save the dog.

Reply
post #3 of 56
8/21/12 at 3:23pm

There are few things on EpicSki that bring a tear to my eye but this one did.  

This is such a touching story. 

I'm tempted to go on 14ers.com to thank them for their unselfish actions.  

 

Here is an ABC News story about it. 

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/08/injured-dog-rescued-from-mountain-owner-who-left-it-there-wants-it-back/

Reply
post #4 of 56
8/21/12 at 4:32pm

14ers.com is my other addiction.  What an incredible thread, and leading to a good deed to boot.  It did get pretty testy, not unlike another website I know...

Reply
post #5 of 56
8/21/12 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hirustler View Post

14ers.com is my other addiction.  What an incredible thread, and leading to a good deed to boot.  It did get pretty testy, not unlike another website I know...

 

Make sure that the dog lovers on EpicSki appreciate them. 

 

I hope Amanda doesn't mind, I used her photo of Lucky/Missy on the home page feature here. 

biggrin.gif

 

She is such a beautiful dog. 

 

Ziggy's getting more attention than he wants today.  

Reply
post #6 of 56
8/21/12 at 4:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trekchick View Post

Here is an ABC News story about it. 

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/08/injured-dog-rescued-from-mountain-owner-who-left-it-there-wants-it-back/

 

That's a great story you posted, TC, with several more great pics!

I didn't know it had gone national on the networks.  That's really something.

Reply
post #7 of 56
8/21/12 at 6:12pm

That`s a great story! And it`s good to know that there are lots of people out there that deserve the loyalty we have from these animals! I`m thankful for the effort they made to save the dog and I think every dog lover feels the same way!

Reply
post #8 of 56
8/22/12 at 9:56am

I tried to find the 46 page thread on 14ers.com, but couldn't. (Found a much shorter one, though.) If someone has a link I wouldn't mind reading through the full discussion.

 

In any event this from the ABC news story pretty much sums it up for me...

 

“I just don’t think that his actions have shown that he is a responsible dog owner,” Washburn said. “We understand that he had to leave her there. My wife and I did the same thing. But we ended up going back for her, and we went to some pretty extreme lengths to do so. In my opinion, that is not a responsible dog owner, who doesn’t really care about her.”

 

I would like to add my opinion that no way that guy should get the dog back. No f'n way!

 

I'd also like to commend the people who stepped up and did the rescue. As much as the owner diminished it they helped restore my faith in the human race!

Reply
post #9 of 56
8/22/12 at 10:32am

Here's the thread

http://www.14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=36893&start=276

Reply
post #10 of 56
8/22/12 at 10:45am

I read through most of that thread yesterday.  While the owner's contrition was well stated and his reason for the leaving the dog in the first place is understandable, not doing anything to try and rescue or recover the dog for the eight days she was stranded on the mountain is totally inexplicable.  It's a great story with a great ending for the dog and her rescuers.  I really hope they're able to keep her.  Two things stuck out relative to this: In Colorado (as most places), pets are considered personal property.  If the personal property is abandoned, it is available for 'salvage' for others.  Hence, the Washburn's should be allowed to keep her.  The second thing that really sticks out is the disregard the owner showed to a dog that, if the tables were turned, would likely have done anything within her reason to help her human.  Dogs don't abandon their humans and are the most loyal of friends.  In the case of this owner; not so much.  He doesn't deserve to have a dog of her caliber.  Lastly, I'm amazed she survived for over a week without food or water, in harsh conditions, and is recovering so rapidly.  Now that's some resiliency!  I hope she's found a new happy home.

Peak Travels Insider
» Get the latest news and updates at the Peak Travels sponsor page.
Reply
post #11 of 56
8/22/12 at 10:50am

amen goldmember!  nice to see/hear a news story that restores, rather than destroys, the faith and a successful rescue too boot.  by the way, excellent analysis on "abandonded property" goldmember.

 

dave

Reply
post #12 of 56
8/22/12 at 11:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trekchick View Post

Here's the thread

http://www.14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=36893&start=276

 

Thank you for posting that. Really hard to read through, but she got rescued, and that's the main thing.

Reply
post #13 of 56
8/22/12 at 11:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc-ski View Post

 

Thank you for posting that. Really hard to read through, but she got rescued, and that's the main thing.

The link I posted starts on page 24, which is about 2-3 pages into the "former" dog owner joining the forum. 

SolarAlex is one of the 8 rescuers who seems to be really attached to Lucky/Missy and extremely outraged at the former owner's weak excuses for not going back or attempting to get help for her. 

 

Like everyone here, I understand having to leave her under the circumstances(to a point), but I cant imagine anything that would keep me from going back for my furry four legged friend. 

 

 

I couldn't read any more of the thread after page 24.  My mind was reeling and I was getting weepy, thinking about missy out there alone, wondering what she did wrong to make her master abandon her.   

Meanwhile, Ziggy is bringing me his tug, begging me to play.  

I'll be back in a bit.....

Reply
post #14 of 56
8/22/12 at 2:24pm

More rescue pictures from the 14ers.com thread.

Reply
post #15 of 56
8/22/12 at 2:42pm

I went back and read more of the thread on 14ers.com.  It's taken me two days to read it, but most of the posts happened in one day (August 14th)

 

 

Seeing all the new members who are Ortolani's friends and family coming in to defend his love for Missy and his decision to leave her for dead,  and I'm wondering ....Where were all of Anthony Ortolani's friends and family when he needed to go back and get his dog off the mountain?

 

5 at minimum, joined praising his love for Missy. 

 

Even if they were physically not prepared to go on a rescue, someone could have done something to assist an effort or put the word out. 

 

Couldn't they? 

Reply
post #16 of 56
8/22/12 at 3:32pm

^^^ The consensus seems to be "yes".

Reply
post #17 of 56
8/22/12 at 7:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc-ski View Post

More rescue pictures from the 14ers.com thread.

 

Thanks.  I recently switched to a MacBook and haven't been able to figure out how to create a link like that yet.

 

The 2nd post after those pictures by "MattK" seems to sum up quite nicely the overall feeling of most people commenting about this.

 

The Outside article said the owner has been charged with Cruelty to Animals, but the ABC News story seemed to imply that was still up in the air.  The last post on the 14ers thread is from the local D.A. asking for witnesses to contact him.  Regardless, I Hope the authorities that decide Missy's future will make the call that's in her best long-term interests.

Reply
post #18 of 56
8/22/12 at 10:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc-ski View Post

More rescue pictures from the 14ers.com thread.

She is really a good looking pup.  I just can't fathom what happened in the owner's mind but I would like to keep mine open.  None-the-less, it's hard to imagine not trying to put forth a rescue attempt.

Peak Travels Insider
» Get the latest news and updates at the Peak Travels sponsor page.
Reply
post #19 of 56
8/23/12 at 10:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trekchick View Post

I went back and read more of the thread on 14ers.com.  It's taken me two days to read it, but most of the posts happened in one day (August 14th)

 

 

Seeing all the new members who are Ortolani's friends and family coming in to defend his love for Missy and his decision to leave her for dead,  and I'm wondering ....Where were all of Anthony Ortolani's friends and family when he needed to go back and get his dog off the mountain?

 

5 at minimum, joined praising his love for Missy. 

 

Even if they were physically not prepared to go on a rescue, someone could have done something to assist an effort or put the word out. 

 

Couldn't they? 

Totally with you on this! I understand him watching out for his own life when he left the dog alone. First thing to do when you get to a safe place, talk to the rangers, talk to friends, talk to anyone that could help you saving your dog`s life! There is no reason I can think of to just forget your dog there and leave her to die!

Reply
post #20 of 56
8/23/12 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mfa81 View Post

Totally with you on this! I understand him watching out for his own life when he left the dog alone. First thing to do when you get to a safe place, talk to the rangers, talk to friends, talk to anyone that could help you saving your dog`s life! There is no reason I can think of to just forget your dog there and leave her to die!

I'm no friend of the guy who left the dog, but you should read the whole thread before commenting. First, the guy is originally from the east coast, so his family likely still lives there. Second, the guy called the police, the rangers, SAR, and other "authorities" immediately after descending from the mountain. All of the "authorities" refused to help. Whatever he did or did not do the following days is on his conscience, but his initial response was proper, and I'm sure the authorities refusal to help had some bearing on this whole sad episode.

The thing I learned the most from the thread is that many of us are too quick to judge and too slow to forgive.
Reply
post #21 of 56
8/23/12 at 1:48pm

Thats pretty cool that people were able to rescue the dog. too bad they didnt ski down with it in their pack biggrin.gif

Reply
post #22 of 56
8/23/12 at 6:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tervizeks View Post


I'm no friend of the guy who left the dog, but you should read the whole thread before commenting. First, the guy is originally from the east coast, so his family likely still lives there. Second, the guy called the police, the rangers, SAR, and other "authorities" immediately after descending from the mountain. All of the "authorities" refused to help. Whatever he did or did not do the following days is on his conscience, but his initial response was proper, and I'm sure the authorities refusal to help had some bearing on this whole sad episode.
The thing I learned the most from the thread is that many of us are too quick to judge and too slow to forgive.

I read the whole thread.  The points that I can add to yours are

  • His boss  and (at least) 3 others who live in the area registered on 14ers.com with different twists to the story, pleading Anthony's case.  One of them could have done some brainstorming to help him find a way to get "his Missy Girl" back.
  • He claimed that he hiked 2 or 3 14ers with Missy prior to this, so he's in the learning curve, which makes him a little more understandable
  • His sister and another friend who live locally said that he was "an experienced hiker and was not out of line to take Missy on this hike"(this doesn't jive with what he and his other friend said)
  • I will never understand how you can hike this with the dog, and not hike back later to leave food and water while you figure out a plan to get her down. 
  • I will never understand how he could be so remorseful and not leave "lost dog" posters up at the trail heads.  If he'd done that, I'd bet someone would have called him to help organize a rescue within a day.

 

I don't think he's unforgivable, but I'm baffled why he didn't do something, anything, for 8 days

Reply
post #23 of 56
8/23/12 at 9:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tervizeks View Post

but you should read the whole thread before commenting. 

 

Why do you assume many of us haven't?

I read the entire thread start to finish, TC just clearly stated in the previous post that she did, and Goldmember, JC-Ski, and Hirustler all stated or strongly implied they also read all of it.

Reply
post #24 of 56
8/24/12 at 2:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skierish View Post

 

Why do you assume many of us haven't?

I read the entire thread start to finish, TC just clearly stated in the previous post that she did, and Goldmember, JC-Ski, and Hirustler all stated or strongly implied they also read all of it.


Like I said, people are quick to judge.  Chill out, please.

 

My post clearly quoted mfa81's comment (not Trekchick's or Skierish's or anyone else's), which wondered why the dog owner didn't "talk to rangers, talk to friends" etc, which, of course, the dog owner did do.

 

Specifically to Skierish:  Where in my post did I assume, state, or otherwise intimate that "many of you" hadn't read the thread?  Here's my post again.  Maybe you could take a look at it, and find the part where I state that many of you hadn't read the whole thread?

 

"I'm no friend of the guy who left the dog, but you should read the whole thread before commenting. First, the guy is originally from the east coast, so his family likely still lives there. Second, the guy called the police, the rangers, SAR, and other "authorities" immediately after descending from the mountain. All of the "authorities" refused to help. Whatever he did or did not do the following days is on his conscience, but his initial response was proper, and I'm sure the authorities refusal to help had some bearing on this whole sad episode.

The thing I learned the most from the thread is that many of us are too quick to judge and too slow to forgive."

Reply
post #25 of 56
8/24/12 at 5:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tervizeks View Post


Like I said, people are quick to judge.  Chill out, please.

 

My post clearly quoted mfa81's comment (not Trekchick's or Skierish's or anyone else's), which wondered why the dog owner didn't "talk to rangers, talk to friends" etc, which, of course, the dog owner did do.

 

Specifically to Skierish:  Where in my post did I assume, state, or otherwise intimate that "many of you" hadn't read the thread?  Here's my post again.  Maybe you could take a look at it, and find the part where I state that many of you hadn't read the whole thread?

 

"I'm no friend of the guy who left the dog, but you should read the whole thread before commenting. First, the guy is originally from the east coast, so his family likely still lives there. Second, the guy called the police, the rangers, SAR, and other "authorities" immediately after descending from the mountain. All of the "authorities" refused to help. Whatever he did or did not do the following days is on his conscience, but his initial response was proper, and I'm sure the authorities refusal to help had some bearing on this whole sad episode.

The thing I learned the most from the thread is that many of us are too quick to judge and too slow to forgive."

You commented on mfa81's post which he says he agrees with mine.  I think that's where it appears that you were commenting about more than one person.  

Its easy to misinterpret things in a forum post (here or on 14ers).  

It is not my intention to twist your words.  And its nice having a devils advocate on this topic.

 

To give you a real life example  of the type of network someone can have after moving from the east coast to the mountains - 

I moved from Michigan to Reno (Tahoe) two years ago (my anniversary date for the move will be October 1st)  

If I mentioned to any of my friends that I had to leave Ziggy up there, they'd be organizing something  to get to Ziggy.

My friends wouldn't let me go through the hell that his friends say that he was going through. 

 

He has clearly grown a network of Colorado friends, as they've been joining 14ers.com and posting in his defense.  

 

 

I could hear the dialog now:

Me: I had blisters, the storm was rolling in and I was pretty beat up so  I had to leave Ziggy up there

Insert friend name here:  You look like shit.  Take care of yourself and I'll go get Ziggy.  Where is he? 

 

 

As one of the posters said on 14ers.com.  

Dude, you need better friends. 

Reply
post #26 of 56
8/24/12 at 5:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tervizeks View Post


Like I said, people are quick to judge.  Chill out, please.

 

My post clearly quoted mfa81's comment 

 

The thing I learned the most from the thread is that many of us are too quick to judge and too slow to forgive."

 

So it does.  I'm sorry for the misinterpretation.

Given that I also used the phrase "many of us," I suspect I was subconsciously responding more to what I likely perceived as a "finger-wagging" tone in your last statement.

 

Speaking of finger-wagging, I don't think I have any need to "chill out," as my post was based more on simple curiosity than any sort of anger or distress.  I'll concede a bit of probable annoyance, but I had to read our exchange pretty carefully to find it, so I would characterize even that as pretty doggone mild.  Yes, the pun was intended...

 

Having read the entire thread on 14ers, I have indeed made a judgement regarding what actions I would prefer to see taken (or not taken) regarding this issue.  Once the owner of the dog explained his version of events on a public forum and recruited others to "testify" on his behalf on that same public forum, I believe he invited perfectly legitimate public judgement of his actions.

As to forgiveness, I believe that is a matter that is often separate from the more tangible concept of consequences for one's actions. 

 

In any case, and just so it isn't lost in the mix, I do apologize for misreading your post.  "Mild annoyance" of any sort aside, I wouldn't have replied had I read it correctly.

Reply
post #27 of 56
8/24/12 at 10:02am

I wasn`t really trying to say the guy haven`t done anything, but I believe he haven`t done enough to help save the dog`s life! I gave examples of what could be done, I`m sorry if this caused confusion and appeared I was saying he haven`t done anything.

 

What is clear to me that he haven`t done enough was that the dog was saved! Other people did what had to be done to save the dog`s life! Now coming out after all the heat the story got is just a little strange to me.

 

Again, not saying nothing was done, but whatever he did clearly wasn`t enough! Anyway, we will have different opinions regarding the facts and what was right, what was wrong... the same way people had on 14ers, I respect who believes the dog owner did all he could, and I won`t say they are wrong, I just have a different opinion.


Edited by mfa81 - 8/24/12 at 11:31am
Reply
post #28 of 56
8/25/12 at 12:18am

What a great photo of the dog being taken out in a backpack!  Thank goodness she was rescued and that efforts succeeded in getting that done where the owner wasn't successful!

She looks like a great dog!

Reply
post #29 of 56
9/17/12 at 7:10am

Looks like the rescuers are getting to keep Missy. 

http://www.examiner.com/article/colorado-mountain-climbers-who-rescued-abandoned-dog-missy-line-to-adopt

Reply
post #30 of 56
9/17/12 at 7:26am

^^  As they should.  I'm glad to see that their efforts were worth it.

Peak Travels Insider
» Get the latest news and updates at the Peak Travels sponsor page.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
EpicSki › The Barking Bear Forums › EpicSki Community › Community Discussions & Forum News › Dog Rescue on Mt. Bierstadt