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.”
Uncover the Secret Features of Your iPhone’s Volume Buttons
Unlocking the Full Potential of Your iPhone’s Volume Buttons
Many of us are familiar with the iPhone, and its evolution over the years has been impressive. With just three physical buttons, the iPhone’s volume controls offer far more than basic sound adjustment. These buttons perform a range of other functions, enhancing your iPhone experience in unique ways. Let’s explore the hidden capabilities of these versatile controls.
1. Capturing Photos and Videos
Your iPhone’s volume buttons can act as a convenient shutter for photos and videos. In any camera mode—such as portrait, panorama, or standard—a simple press of either volume button snaps a photo. For video recording, press once to start and press again to stop. On newer iPhones, holding the volume up button activates burst mode, capturing multiple photos quickly.
2. Scanning Documents with Ease
Avoid on-screen controls when scanning documents. In apps like Files, Mail, Notes, and Reminders, you can use the volume buttons to quickly initiate a scan. A single press captures your document, making document management faster and more efficient.
3. Managing Alarms Simply
If you struggle to wake up in the morning or need a few extra minutes, the volume buttons offer an easy way to manage alarms. Pressing either volume button can snooze or dismiss alarms, making mornings a bit easier without reaching for on-screen options.
4. Quick Access to Emergency Services
In urgent situations, your iPhone’s volume buttons can be life-saving. Press and hold the side button along with either volume button to bring up the emergency SOS screen. Swiping the SOS icon calls emergency services, even when your phone is locked.
5. Restarting a Frozen iPhone
When your iPhone becomes unresponsive, the volume buttons offer a quick fix. To force a restart, press the volume up button, then the volume down button, and hold the side button until your iPhone reboots. This hardware reset can help resolve issues when a standard restart isn’t working.
6. Temporarily Disable Face ID or Touch ID
If you need extra security in a particular moment, you can quickly disable Face ID or Touch ID. Press and hold the side button along with either volume button for two seconds. This action locks your phone, requiring your passcode to unlock it, which can enhance your privacy when needed.
7. Silencing Calls Instantly
In situations where you need to silence an incoming call or mute vibrations discreetly, press either volume button. This will silence ringtones or vibrations in silent mode, allowing you to manage calls quickly and quietly.
Share this with friends and family to help them unlock the hidden potential of their iPhone’s volume buttons!
Leave a Reply