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.”
The Heartwarming Story of a Woman’s Generosity Towards a Homeless Man and His Furry Companion Outside Walmart
As she gazed upon the sign, her heart felt heavy. In front of the Walmart, stood Patrick, a homeless man with a look of desperation in his eyes. However, unlike other beggars, he wasn’t holding up a placard begging for food or money for himself. Instead, his sign was requesting help for his closest friend. This scene touched her soul and inspired an act of kindness that could only be described as angelic.
In our society, it is not uncommon to see homeless people with their loyal pets by their side. While there are debates and criticisms regarding this practice, it usually only becomes an issue when the pet is put in danger. However, these individuals often go to great lengths to provide for their furry friends, making sure they are fed, sheltered, and have a place to call their own despite their living situation.
In Houston, Texas, a woman named Wilma Frice was touched by the sight of a homeless man standing outside Walmart. His sign was made from cardboard and read “Dog in pound, need help.” The message was simple, yet heart-breaking, as it showed the love and dedication of a pet owner who was experiencing tough times.
Patrick, a homeless person, wasn’t asking for help for his own benefit. He wasn’t looking for food or money from people who walked by him. Instead, he was making a plea to those with kind hearts to help his beloved companion, Franklin. Unfortunately, Franklin had been taken to the pound because Patrick couldn’t afford the $120 required to get him out.
Wilma Frice expressed her thoughts about meeting Patrick to People.com, describing him as a gentle and kind person who was going through tough times. She noticed a sadness in his eyes, similar to that of a young boy who had experienced a significant loss.
Upon receiving the necessary funds from Wilma, Patrick took to Facebook to express his gratitude and share a heartfelt message. As someone who is currently homeless, he was deeply moved by the kindness of Franklin and his owner. Patrick’s life’s work has been dedicated to helping homeless animals, and he hopes that his actions will inspire others to do the same. He reminds us that we all have the potential to experience difficult circumstances, and it’s essential to empathize with those who are struggling. Patrick is committed to ensuring that the animals he cares for have everything they need and never end up back on the streets. He feels grateful for the unconditional love he has received from these animals and hopes to continue making a difference in their lives.
Kindly take some time to spread this incredible story among your loved ones. It serves as a gentle nudge that extraordinary acts of kindness can come from unexpected sources. In times of need, an angel may just appear before us- just like what happened to this man.
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