The story of Russa three-year-old pit bull, can’t help but excite us. The dog went missing in August 2022 while its owner Ricardo Rodriguez and four friends were on a campsite near Lake Tahoe, California. Scared of someone, Russ he had moved away from the group and, despite hours of searches and reports to local shelters, he had vanished into thin air.
Unfortunately, in the following days, the fire of Caldor had devastated the area, forcing Rodriguez and the local community to evacuate. Leaving Russ behind was heartbreaking, but Rodriguez hoped someone had found him and given him a new home. After months of silence, however, hope seemed to fade.
On December 16th, a twist: a skier near Twin Peaks he noticed a dog curled up in the snow, next to a tree. Unable to reach him, the man notified El Dorado County Animal Services. They turned to Tahoe PAWS & TLC 4 Furry Friends, a nonprofit organization that specializes in rescuing lost pets.
Russ’s rescue
Wendy Jones, director of the organization, sent two volunteers, Leona Allen and Elsa Gaule, to rescue Russ. Despite the freezing temperatures and the difficulties of the snowy terrain, the two women they followed tracks in the snow until they find Russ, visibly scared but alive. Gaule said she put her hand under his chin and he immediately did resting his muzzle on his handa sign that the dog trusted them.
Wrapped in blankets and carried on a sled, Russ was carried to safety. After a veterinary visit, he was declared healthy despite four months spent in the wilderness, facing fires and frost. Wendy Jones explained how she thinks she managed to survive by claiming that i dogs go into survival mode. They are incredibly strong and intelligent and thus manage to escape even the most prohibitive situations.
Thanks to the microchip, Russ’s owner was tracked down. Rodriguez was in disbelief and couldn’t wait to hug him again. As a perfect Christmas gift, on December 26 the two reunited with Russ leaving his mark on everyone who helped him, proving sweet and affectionate and showing once again how unfounded prejudices about pit bulls are.
