Dog lost during hike rescued in daring circumstances on Christmas Day from Utah mountains

A man was hiking near Waterfall Canyon when he lost his dog, thanks to the Weber County Sheriff’s search and rescue officials, they reunited the dog with her owner.

The Weber County Sheriff's Office said that the hiker could not find Nala by nightfall and continued the search the next day which was December 25. The authorities started the search when they got a call from the man’s family members that he was not responding to calls and text messages, as reported by ABC News. However, later the dog’s owner responded to one of the calls when he got cellphone service and informed people that Nala was near the waterfall and he could not reach there due to the steepness and icy situation of the terrain, according to a Facebook post on Weber County Sheriff Office page.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Team team spotted Nala cliffed out above the waterfall and kept an eye on her until the climbing team reached the place. They said, “Given the fact Nala spent the cold brutal night alone, she was a little nervous meeting her rescuers. However, with a lot of patience, and a little help with the buzzing sound of the drone, Nala approached her rescuers and got some well-deserved care.” 

According to the Weber County Sheriff's Office, Nala was cold with a few minor injuries but she was able to hike down the rescuers. They said, “She is one tough puppy! Once reaching the trailhead parking lot, both human and canine couldn’t have been happier to be reunited. A very Merry Christmas Rescue.”

ABC News reported that Waterfall Canyon is a “moderately challenging” trail near Odgen, Utah.

In another rescue story, a 1-year-old retriever boxer mix was abandoned by its owner and a woman called Lillian Engelhard came to his rescue and decided to take matters into her hand. She first assessed the situation by sitting in her car and keeping an eye on Baloo. She said, "I was out taking one of my dogs for a walk and we passed a community dog run with a dog in it but no owners in sight." "I thought maybe they ran out of doggie bags and quickly ran to their car to get more, or maybe his owners really did have an emergency of some sort."

But she soon realized that he had been abandoned. Engelhard said, "The more I watched him, the more I saw signs that he had been out there for a long time." She added, "It was in the 90s and he looked very dehydrated and overheated. He was pacing and seemed distraught. I knew I had to do something." She also found a note from the former owner as she approached the dog. "It read, 'This dog is not trained!!! *I had to leave him. Please save him (Venom).'"

The woman soon understood that Baloo was a bright pup and has the full capacity to learn more. Engelhard said, "He suddenly lived for learning!" "Within a few days he could sit, stay, lie down, sit pretty (sitting with both paws in the air), was completely potty trained, understood when he could and couldn't hop up on the couch or bed, did great in his kennel, and more. All he needed was a little bit of patience and for someone to invest in him."

Baloo was then put up for adoption through Lost Our Home Pet Rescue. He is waiting for a home that will understand his background and would continue to work on his manners with patience and consistency.