Many people enjoy exploring nature with their dogs by their side, but sometimes dogs aren’t prepared for the terrain and can’t go on.
That was the case recently, when one Great Pyrenees stopped moving in the middle of a hiking trail — but a group of rescuers carried the big dog to safety.
According to a Facebook post from Cannon Beach RFPD, in Oregon, a 160-pound Great Pyrenees was on a hike with his owner on Saddle Mountain.
But in the middle of the hike, the dog refused to keep walking after suffering from some sores and cuts on his paws.
Cannon Beach RFPD explained that while leashed dogs are allowed on the trail, the hike isn’t particularly dog-friendly: sharp wire fencing on the ground meant to provide stability to human hikers can be a pain for dogs with bare paws.
“Over the years, we have had several calls for dogs that needed assistance off the mountain due to dehydration or cut/raw paw pads,” the department wrote on Facebook.
Thankfully, a team of rescuers soon joined forces to give the dog a lift to safety. Photos show the group — which reportedly also included members of the Hamlet Volunteer Fire Department, Gearhart Volunteer Fire Department and Seaside Fire & Rescue — carrying the Great Pyrenees through the trail on a stretcher.
It was no small task carrying the 160-pound dog all that way, but it was worth it to get him to safety and give him a relief from his pain. People online thanked the rescue team for giving the dog a lift.
“Poor baby! Thank you for coming to the rescue,” one comment reads.
“Oh my gosh, poor puppers!! Thank you for rescuing him, he was probably in pain a long time before he stopped,” another wrote.
It’s clear that not every hiking trail is ideal for dogs, but Cannon Beach RFPD says owners can take some precautions to keep their pets safe, like getting them dog booties or gradually building the dog’s paw pad calluses.
“Just as we humans can build up calluses by incremental exposure to rough surfaces, you can do the same with your dog if you plan on frequent hikes or know they’ll be walking on rougher surfaces throughout their life,” they wrote. “Start with shorter periods of time on these surfaces to let the pad build up toughness over time.”
We know people like to take their dogs wherever they can, but it’s important to take precautions and make sure your pet can handle the elements before heading out on an adventure like this.
Thank you to this rescue team who carried this dog to safety! Please share this story if you love dogs!
