Two beloved pet dogs that vanished while they were out for a walk in the hills are safe at home thanks to the smell of grilled sausages.
Miniature schnauzers Charlie and Theo were missing for four days after disappearing in thick fog on the Red Pike fell near Buttermere, Cumbria.
Distraught owners Liz and Graham Hampson launched a rescue campaign and sought help from mountain rescue teams, family and friends.
There was no sign of the dogs as more than 120 people and two drones scoured the hills, so Liz and Graham decided to try to lure them with their favourite bangers.
They set up a barbecue near the spot where Charlie and Theo, who are father and son, vanished and shouted the dogs’ names.
To their amazement, a short time later the dogs appeared through the trees, leading to an emotional reunion.
Liz, 49, from nearby Cockermouth, said: “When they first appeared it was like a mirage. I could not believe it was them.
“My husband ran up the hill to grab them as I was just shaking and crying. I could not function.
“The dogs are just gorgeous, and they are part of our family. It would be horrible not to have them around.
“They absolutely love sausages. They have them every Sunday for breakfast, so if there was one food they were going to come back for, it was sausages.”
Liz and Graham’s son John was walking Charlie, aged seven, and Theo, aged 15 months, on top Red Pike fell on June 16.
The weather turned at lunchtime and a thick mist rolled in, causing the 21-year-old to lose sight of the dogs.
He rang his mum straight away to let her know what had happened, and they immediately started to form a rescue party.
Liz said: “I was beside myself when John called. The dogs walk off lead when there is no livestock around and are used to being on the fells.
“It was a horrible phone call. We called our family and messaged friends and put out an appeal for people to look out for them on Facebook and Twitter.
“I also have a few friends who are part of mountain rescue groups so I asked if they could keep their eyes peeled if they were called out to a rescue.”
Liz and Graham spent the first night camping on the fell and calling the dogs’ names trying to get them to come back.
They then spent the next few days over Father’s Day weekend hiking all around the area in hot weather trying to find them.
On the morning of June 19, Mark Steel, a GP and member of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, said the dogs were likely on the other side of the fell, near Gillerthwaite.
Together they hatched a plan to get the dogs back, and started barbecuing sausages.
Liz said: “It was great to see them appear through the trees.”
“They were thin, and they smelled, but thankfully they’d kept themselves hydrated in the heat.
“We took them to the vets the next day and they were given a clean bill of health.”
She added: “My son is in the navy and we rang him first to tell him. A huge cheer went up on his ship.
“Charlie and Theo are actually dad and son so we’re now joking they had a Father’s Day weekend.
“And they’ve told us nothing about what happened. I guess what goes on tour, stays on tour.”
Left alone and suffering, a mother dog brings new life into this world, cradling her newborns in the chilly embrace, longing for love and comfort
What was most shocking? The heartless culprit was none other than the owner, banishing this innocent mother and her pups to such extreme conditions.
As we watched the video, our hearts sank. The mother dog lay outside, shivering, doing her best to protect her newborns.
Despite her own suffering, she ate snow to keep her puppies warm. Her resilience touched us deeply, but we knew they couldn’t survive long.
With urgency, we embarked on a three-hour rescue mission. The scene broke our hearts. We named the mother Maria, and her three pups were finally safe. In a warm, comfortable environment, we vowed to prevent their suffering.
Maria, understandably wary, had endured much pain and neglect. Trust was hard-earned. As we cared for her, she slowly relaxed.
Maria ate well, nourishing her weary body. Seeing her puppies thrive brought joy. We vowed to protect and love them.
Fifteen days later, Maria’s puppies thrived. Maria improved, a testament to their strength.
Fifty days later, the heartwarming news arrived—Maria and her pups had forever homes. We were grateful for the support.
One year later, Maria thrived in her forever home, alongside her companion Mike. Her pups grew into beautiful dogs. They formed a happy family, a testament to compassion.
This story reminds us of resilience and love. Maria’s journey inspires us to fight for the voiceless, ensuring no innocent animal suffers.
May her story kindle compassion and remind us of love’s transformative power.
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