When residents in northern Michigan witnessed a man walk into the woods but never reemerge, they grew concerned. Not only had the sun already set, but temperatures had also dropped to a frigid eleven degrees (-11°C).
Could he even survive the night? Bystanders recognized the urgent need to call the police, and once they did, the officers on duty grew even more concerned.
The local police believed they knew the identity of the lost hiker and that he may be cognitively impaired. So they spared no time in reaching out for help from the Roscommon County Sheriffs, who dispatchedDeputy Dakota Darsow and his K9 partner, Ghost, to the scene.
“The things that the dog can do would take five officers hours-upon-hours to do,” said Dakota Darsow, Ghost’s Handler.
Ghost, a gorgeous German Shepherd, has been rigorously trained in the skills of search and rescue. He is also well known for successfully recovering missing persons in the past. His professional police training, coupled with his heightened senses of hearing and smell, make him an excellent asset to a search and rescue team. Plus, this was a winter rescue mission. And as you can see in the photo below, Ghost absolutely loves snow!
Together, Ghost and his partner tracked the lost man through half a mile of dense, dark woods. But neither the bitter temperatures nor the thickness of the trees was going to slow down K9 Ghost. He was hot on the trail.Finally, the pair was able to find the lost man and lead him out of the pitch-black, bone-chilling forest.
Luckily, bystanders noticed the man when they did and instantly identified the need to reach out to local authorities. Had no one seen, or if local police hesitated to reach out to the Roscommon County Sheriffs Office, the outcome might have been much more grim.
“Excellent job by the Gerrish Township Police in recognizing the urgency of the situation, and another great job by Ghost,” said the sheriff’s department.
When asked what had happened, the missing hiker explained that he was in town visiting from Pennsylvania. He said he had gone for a walk in the woods and simply gotten lost. Once found, he was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for exposure.
K9 Ghost deserves tons of extra treats for being such a good boy!
When a woman spotted a dog running along I-84 in Middletown, New York, on January 19, 2022, she called Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary for help. Nicole Asher of New Jersey-based Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery had also received a call about a loose dog that month.
The dog spotted in both New Jersey and New York states was, in fact, one and the same: Teddy. Officials estimated this skinny, frightened Shepherd mix had been running along the highway for at least two weeks.
New York State Troopers attempted to catch Teddy, but he was too quick. Eventually, Asher discovered fresh tracks on January 21, and followed them to a farm where Teddy was hiding out.
The farm’s owner said Teddy had been hiding there for two days, but the anxious pup wouldn’t let anyone approach. Asher was eventually able to lure him into a trap with some rotisserie chicken and hot dogs.
Finally recovered, Teddy was taken to the Catskill Animal Hospital for assessment. They also scanned him for a microchip and were shocked to learn that he had one. This dog wasn’t dumped; someone was missing him.
Reunited After 7 Long Months
Since the chip was registered, Asher was able to contact Teddy’s family. She said:
“We were able to locate the owner and she was beside herself. She was crying and screaming, she couldn’t believe it was true … they never thought he would be able to survive, so when the call came in, she was in an absolute state of shock.”
Teddy reunited with his parents seven whole months after he went missing, thanks to the help of Buddha Dog Rescue, Pets Alive, and the New York State Troopers. Shocked and overjoyed to see their dog again, Teddy’s parents cried and thanked his rescuers.
Becky Tegze, Executive Director of Pets Alive, credits Teddy’s eventual reunion with his family to his up-to-date microchip.
“Sometimes we get very lucky that there are microchips, and we are able to find the owner. A lot of times we’re not … Teddy traveled over 80 miles. If he was not microchipped, we would not have had a reunion like there was, because no one would have known to look [for] a family in Washington, D.C. when you’re in New York.”
Teddy’s family initially saved him from a high-kill shelter in California. They saw his photo on social media in May of 2021 and his story broke their hearts.
Teddy’s previous owner surrendered him after he “was brutally attacked by other dogs,” the dog’s new adopters said.
“He had severe bite wounds on both shoulders and had surgery on both, followed by a very difficult recovery.”
After being placed on the adoption list, no one expressed any interest in Teddy. The dog’s fearful behavior made him shy and resistant to new people and other dogs.
“He was traumatized by his experience and fearful of his surroundings and people/dogs. He refused to interact with handlers or shelter staff and just sat in the corner shaking in fear.”
So, Salvatore Della Monica flew from their D.C. home to Los Angeles to pick Teddy up. Then, less than a month later in June, the dog escaped through a hole in the fence during a family vacation in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Teddy’s family set up a GoFundMe page for help covering his extensive medical costs. After his time on his own, the pup returned with some brutal injuries and conditions, including Lyme disease and bullet wounds.
“We don’t know everything he’s gone through but can tell from his injuries that it was a lot. He was shot and has bullet fragments in his left hind limb. He has severe bilateral hip dysplasia and will most likely need a hip replacement and months of therapy.”
You can donate to the GoFundMe here to help Teddy with his recovery. Follow Teddy on Instagram to see how he’s doing now that he’s home safe. And again: MICROCHIP YOUR PETS!
A family in Cobb County, Georgia has been tirelessly searching for their lost dog, Marley, every day for five long months. In fact, they haven’t missed a single day of searching since she went missing. But now, they’re running out of time and resources. So they’ve decided to not only increase the amount of money they’re offering, but to add a sports car to the deal, as well.
“Marley is a gentle soul. She’s 4 years old, a Whippet mix. She means the world to us,” said Alex Kirchner.
It was back in September of last year that theKirchnerfamily took their sweet pup Marley with them on their family vacation to Hilton Head, South Carolina. A family member accidentally left a door open, and Marley went missing. Losing a dog is a nightmare to many, but to lose your best friend while far from home? It’s unimaginable.
The family extended their trip for a couple of weeks while they started their search, but shortly after that,Alex (Derek’s wife) and their young son had to return home to Georgia. Derek, however, stayed behind in South Carolina and has continued searching every day since.
“I wake up in the morning, go out and start my morning searches. I have posters on the bike, ‘Lost dog’ and I ride around Hilton Head searching. Almost everyone in Hilton Head knows me as Marley’s dad,” said Derek.
Derek rides his poster-covered bicycle around the island every day, spreading the word and asking if anyone has seen his sweet pup. He also has trail cameras set up all around the area, and often scours the island in his car after dark. Meanwhile, back home in Atlanta, Marley’s mom has been busy creating online ads and posting from specific Facebook groups and pages that were specifically created to help bring their lost dog home. The couple has even consulted a psychic, searching for any clue that may lead to their beloved dog.
But now, after months of both living and searching states apart, they have exhausted their savings, and Derek is being forced to leave the island. In a last-ditch effort to find their furry family member, Derek is offering $4,000 and the title of his 2016Z51 Corvette Stingray,no questions asked, to anyone who is aware of their search and is still choosing to keep her.
“This is a last ditch effort here; This specific reward is for if someone has Marley, is aware, and still deciding to keep her,” Derek wrote on Facebook.
Derek may be heading home soon, but that doesn’t mean they will stop searching.
For more information, to report a sighting, or to receive daily search updates, you can check out the “Find Marley” Facebook group by clicking here.
Most families wish their pets could live forever, but if you bring home a giant tortoise, they just might! A Seychelles tortoise named Jonathan recently celebrated his 190th birthday, making him the oldest tortoise on record. Seychelles tortoises are a type of Aldabra tortoise, which usually have a lifespan of about 100 years.
Even though Jonathan has surpassed his life expectancy by a long shot, he’s not slowing down anytime soon. He has no problem getting around and enjoying life to the fullest. He outlived his human decades ago and has even been alive during many firsts in history.
Before Jonathan’s recent birthday, Guinness World Records already labeled him the oldest living land animal. Now that he’s 190, he has also earned the title of “oldest chelonian,” which includes turtles and tortoises.
The previous oldest chelonian was a radiated tortoise named Tu’i Malila, who was at least 188. Tu’i Malila was a gift to the royal family in 1777, and they continued to care for her until she died in 1965.
Jonathan was born in 1832, but there’s a good chance that he’s even older than that. In 1882, Jonathan was given to former governor Sir William Grey-Wilson as a gift. Since he was full-grown at the time, they knew he had to be at least 50 years old. Photo evidence confirms his size at the time.
“Jonathan could actually be 200 because the information regarding his arrival on the island is not exact and because there’s no real record of his birth,” said Matt Joshua, head of tourism on St. Helena.
Even though Jonathan’s human died about 100 years ago, the tortoise continues to live at his residence on St. Helena Island. He shares the grounds of a Georgian mansion with three other tortoises named David, Emma, and Fred.
The Life of Jonathan the Tortoise
Jonathan has been alive through many milestones in history, including when the first photograph of a human was taken, when the first telephone call was made, and when the Eiffel Tower was built. If he could talk, he’d have so many stories to tell!
“[Jonathan] enjoys the sun but on very hot days takes to the shade. On mild days, he will sunbathe – his long neck and legs stretched fully out of his shell to absorb heat and transfer it to his core,” said his vet, Joe Hollins.
The giant tortoise spends most of his days eating, sleeping, and mating. His sight and smell aren’t as great as they used to be, so humans often hand feed him. However, his energy hasn’t dwindled. He still regularly mates with the other tortoises, especially Fred and Emma. The sex of the tortoise doesn’t matter to him.
Jonathan lives a simple life, but he seems like a very happy tortoise. He’s a celebrity on St. Helena, and many tourists will come to meet him. 190 years might seem really old, but Jonathan continues to enjoy life and make the most of it every day!
Nom Nom Dog Food Review With Veterinarian Reported Results
Earlier this year, I began feeding my dogs fresh dog food. It was a decision that came with a lot of consideration. Based on everything I read, fresh dog food was the best for my dogs, especially considering I had been feeding them kibble for their first four years. After A LOT of painstaking research, I settled onNom Nom Dog Food, for reasons I’ll share with you shortly. Six months have passed, and the results have been beyond my highest expectations.
My babies 🙂
A Little Background
My dogs are such a huge part of my family. And like my family, I try to give them the best of everything. But I knew that while the kibble I was feeding them had good reviews, it wasn’t the best. My girl, Sandy, was a little heavy, and my boy, Scout, had periodic skin issues that my vet said could be a result of his food. That was enough for me. I finally decided to see what the options were. My criteria for evaluating these options fell into the following buckets:
Quality Ingredients– Healthy, real food – no fillers or preservatives
Track Record– No recalls, proven expertise
Convenience– No measuring or storing AND delivery to my home
Variety of Options– Not the same food, day-in and day-out
The final result of my search:Nom Nom was the clear winner.
Nom Nom Dog Food uses only high-quality, human-grade ingredients, and each meal is pre-portioned, made to order, and shipped right to my door. The deciding factor, however, was thatNom Nomrecipes are developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist – much like if you were to have a nutritionist create a meal plan for yourself. Dr. Justin Shmalberg has put together complete and balanced meals for dogs that also taste great. My dogs love them. I’m a fan, as well. How do I know? Take a look at the video below.
Highlights of My Dog’s Journey with Nom Nom Food
This journey has been nothing short of amazing. In the beginning, I saw small, subtle changes. But after the first month, things really started to happen!
Day 1 – It Begins!
Check out the video of the 1st shipment unboxing.
The food arrived yesterday. Time to unpack the box and get started. I was very pleased with how it was packed – ice-cold – huge considering you’re dealing with fresh, human-grade ingredients. I ordered all 4 recipes: Heartland Beef Mash, Tasty Turkey Fare, Chicken Cuisine, and Porkalicious Potluck. For the first week, I’ll be giving my dogs a 50/50 mix ofNom Nomfood and their regular kibble. This helps their tummies adjust to the new food. I have to say, I’m really pleased with 1) the small 50% pre-portioned bags and 2) the labels on these bags, which note that they are for the transition period. The food smelled and looked really good. Like something I would eat!
Day 8 – Fully fresh
Now that we are transitioned completely, I thought it would be fun to show you a side-by-side comparison of the food you get fromNom Nom. So many times the photos we see online are nothing like what we actually get. Now, I’m no photographer and shooting this pic with my phone, but I think that’s good. You be the judge. I am pretty impressed with the quality and appearance of the real food.
NOTE:This photo was taken with my phone. I’m not a photographer. I didn’t try to make it pretty. What you see is how it came out of the bag. Ingredients you can actually see!
Both dogs definitely seem to be more energized. Puppy-like. They are only 5 years old, but I’ve noticed them bounding around, wrestling, and playing with each other more. A lot more. It’s actually pretty fun to watch.
DAY 35
Just a few days ago, the dogs and I headed over to the vet for a post-30-day follow-up. Everything continues to look positive. One key development: after communicating withNom Nomregarding Sandy and her extra weight, the Nom Nom team reduced her serving size—and they reduced the price too! This really impressed me. This is definitely not a mindless, faceless dog food company. The fact that they’ve customized her meal plan really demonstrates the level of science and care that is behind this.
Let’s talk about stool – sure, no one likes to talk about it, but I believe the healthy, available nutrients in the fresh dog food is the reason I am seeing small, more dense stools, which makes “cleaning up” a lot easier.
DAY 57
Brought the dogs to the vet today for a check-up. He was pretty amazed, noting how great they looked – especially their coats. He also noted that Sandy looked much healthier. This was confirmed when he put her on the scale. She is down over 6 pounds since startingNom Nom. I didn’t expect these kinds of results! Scout is also down 2 pounds, and while he didn’t really need to lose weight, he is now super fit.
Day 65 – Ongoing Support from Nom Nom Dog Food
After the last vet visit, Sandy still needed to lose a few pounds. The experts atNom Nomdeveloped a plan to achieve this goal. We all know it’s not good to be overweight. It increases the potential for bone & joint issues and a myriad of other health problems – not to mention decreased activity levels because of lack of energy. It’s a vicious cycle. Addressing her weight now, while she’s still young, will help to make a huge difference now and as she ages.
Day 80 With Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food
About 6 months ago, I purchased a robot vacuum to help combat the dog hair. No matter what I did, it seemed like there were always hairballs floating around like tumbleweeds. Today, my daughter noted there seemed to be less dog hair lately. She was right! I know healthier coats are a benefit of a healthy doggy diet, but I never considered this a bonus of Nom Nom. While I’m not a vet and can’t definitively say it’s the food, I can say that after over 5 years of living with the hairy beasts (that I love dearly), there is less shedding. Healthy coat = less shedding? Makes sense to me.
Why Didn’t I Do This Sooner?
If you’ve ever been at a point in your life where you were eating right, getting good sleep, exercising, and generally just living well, you’ll understand how my pups feel right now. If only Nom Nom could get MY diet on track! It is human-grade after all…
The changes I’ve seen over the past 6 months have been incredible. I know I am doing everything possible to make my dogs’ lives as healthy and as long as possible. Their quality of life has improved dramatically, which I attribute to Nom Nom.
Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy has always been a proud rescue dog advocate. After adopting his pup named Redmond 10 years ago, the actor has shared many posts encouraging others to adopt a dog in need. He knows how many amazing pups are out there looking for forever homes.
But 2022 didn’t start well for Levy. Redmond passed away in late January, leaving Levy heartbroken and unsure of how to cope. He posted an adorable tribute to honor the senior pup, showing one of the sweetest photos of them together. Redmond was definitely a lucky dog!
Levy adopted the Dachshund/Corgi mix in 2012 when the pup was four years old. Someone mistreated poor Redmond and then abandoned him at an adoption fair. Levy knew that he had to show the heartbroken dog what true love is like.
“Finding him was the greatest thing that ever happened to me,” Levy wrote on Instagram. “If you are looking for a pet, first make sure you’ve thought it through and that you have the means to care for them properly, then please please please consider adopting. There are so many animals just waiting for a better life.”
Levy regularly posted photos of Redmond, whose nickname was Red, on social media. He described the pooch as his best pal and “the only one that really matters.” Thanks to Levy’s kind heart, Redmond got to experience the incredible life he deserved. The pup even attended a Vogue interview with his dad.
“He’s very calm and level-headed. Qualities that I strive for every day of my life,” Levy said.
Even though Redmond was about 14 years old when he passed, Levy was still shocked and devastated. He had been so close to the pup, and he couldn’t imagine life without him. He turned to Instagram to share the difficult news.
“Last week I lost my best friend. Heartbroken but grateful for every minute of the last ten years that I got to spend with him. I love you, my sweet boy,” Levy wrote on Instagram.
In the farewell post, Levy shared an adorable photo of him hugging Redmond. Both of them look like they’re smiling at the camera with the cutest poses. Many celebrities commented to share their condolences, including his Schitt’s Creek co-star Emily Hampshire.
Rest in peace, Redmond. You brought so much love to the humans in your life.
Dogs love playing in mud and they love us, but they don’t seem to think there’s anything wrong with getting mud all over our stuff. They’re just not materialistic like that.
So, not thinking twice about taking a post-playtime walk through his entire house, one guilt-free dog managed to do some major damage. On January 19th, TikTok user @cuul_doods (the dog’s owner) uploaded a video revealing the shocking crime scene.
Appropriately set to the song “It Wasn’t Me” by Shaggy, the video follows the search for the culprit who left behind a trail of muddy foot prints. Okay well, they’re clearly paw prints, but there’s still no one around to blame.
Whoever left these tracks seems to have touched down everywhere, including some walls. As the videographer walks through the house with the camera, more and more brown footprints appear.
He follows the trail through the hallway and into the bedroom, where you can see the mud tracker took a pit stop on the bed draped with a white comforter. Even a sweatshirt on the bed has been mud stamped.
Rounding one last corner towards the back door, the camera finally reveals a suspect: a muddy-faced/footed/bellied white dog. The dog’s face, of course, expresses nothing but curiosity. It’s as if he’s genuinely wondering, “What’s going on?”
He certainly doesn’t think he did anything wrong. All he did was play outside and then walk around the house where he lives, right?
It looks like this TikTok-er has a big load of laundry to do and at least an hour of mopping ahead of him. Still, he gets to live with this adorable dog all the time so, that’s a pretty good trade-off.
That’s the thing about loving a dog. Every once in a while you’re going to have to clean up an unexpected mess. But it’s totally worth it.
Guilty Or Framed?
This video of crime and “criminal” has been viewed 8.5 million times on TikTok. While some felt sorry for the cameraman and the mess he had to clean up, others chimed in to defend this clearly not guilty pup.
“Still doesn’t prove it was him….😏 Coulda been another muddy dog that ran away and your dog got muddy trying to stop him from fleeing the scene.” – @lorit1112 via TikTok
“It obviously wasn’t him…. he’s been outside the whole time!! HE WAS FRAMED! – @mr.mexico_la_gringa via TikTok
“Still doesn’t prove it was him/her. More evidence needed.” -@liz_rides via TikTok
This particular pup is apparently quite a punk. A previous TikTok from @cuul_doods shows him completely tearing a $100 dog bed to shreds.
If you have a dog, you know they need to go out several times a day. That’s just a fact. So what’s a dog parent to do if there’s a risk of having your dog stolen while just taking them out to pee at night?
It sounds dramatic, but that is a genuine concern in the Bay Area of Northern California, where dognapping incidents are on the rise. As more dogs get forcibly taken from their owners, locals fear for their families’ safety.
The Unsettling Numbers
Dognapping has become a common occurrence in San Francisco and the East Bay. The incidents in Oakland, for example, rose from 19 reported in 2019 to 31 reported in 2021.
The stolen dogs range in breed, from the commonly targeted French Bulldog to a German Shepherd mix. The latter, a dog, named Summer, is a resident’s certified service dog (Summer was fortunately found by police.)
In many cases, social media posts, missing posters, and rewards of thousands of dollars have led to the dogs’ safe return. Police are doing what they can as well.
Some of these dogs have been recovered after days, weeks, or even months. But there’s always the possibility a stolen dog will never come back home.
French Bulldogs Are Often Targeted
According to Lt. Ray Kelly, public information officer with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Frenchies are commonly stolen as they have “a lot of market value because they are cute and small and they are difficult to purchase.”
“It is a supply-and-demand issue for French bulldogs. They are being targeted for their market value in the criminal underworld,” Kelly added.
Tito, a Frenchie, was stolen from his family at gunpoint while on a walk on January 15th. Fortunately, Alameda County Sheriffs were able to track him down and return him to his family.
We are pleased to report that “Tito” the French Bulldog has been recovered by ACSO Detectives. Tito was stolen at gunpoint from his family on a walk on 1/15 in Castro Valley, CA. Detectives have worked relentlessly to locate him. He has been reunited with his family. pic.twitter.com/2Mhyro3m0u
In a tweet announcing the dog’s safe return, Sheriff Ahern of the department said:
“As a dog owner, this case disturbed me, my agency and the community. I directed our investigators to pursue all leads. I’m glad to see Tito is now reunited with his family.”
Another [anonymous] woman from Oakland had her French Bulldog taken from her at gunpoint on January 13th while walking through the Adams Point neighborhood.
“It was just so scary. But I think people should have whatever kind of dog they want to have without having to worry about this.”
Locals Express Concern
An Oakland area resident identified only as Brann L. in a San Francisco Chronicle article, said he’s afraid to walk his dog at night these days.
“With all of the dog thefts and just normal thefts happening nearby, it’s something I think about every time the sun sets. Are we going to have to mix up our route? Do I need to equip myself to take my dog out to pee for 10 minutes?”
Brann reached out to his neighbors and fellow dog parents on Nextdoor about walking in groups. Several others expressed interest in joining Brann and his dog on walks for safety in numbers.
“I think that being together with other people is probably the best deterrent to crime. There’s always safety in numbers. It’s a good excuse to stay together and try to work together against what’s happening.”
Incredibly, the woman whose Frenchie was stolen in Adams Point did get her dog back when a local teenager spotted him. Still, after all, she and her dog went through, she wants to see harsher punishments for dog thieves.
“It’s not a Fendi purse, it’s not a wallet, it’s not a Rolex. It’s like losing a loved one … I don’t want it to happen to anyone else, ever.”
Walking with other people and their dogs may be a deterrent to thieves. Parents should also make sure their dogs are microchipped.
My babies 🙂
