‘He Knew We Were There To Help Him’: Climbers Rescue Stranded Dog From Mistra Cliffs
A precarious dog rescue mission went down in the rugged terrain of Mistra last Saturday… and it was all thanks to two climbers who happened to be in the area.
Two friends, avid rock climbers, were navigating a challenging route at the bottom of a ravine at around 4:20pm when an unsettling crash echoed through the area. Initially dismissing it, they soon realised the gravity of the situation when they heard a dog whistle and the distressing cries of a dog.
One of the climbers stayed at the ravine’s base, calling out in hopes of locating the source of the sounds, while the other swiftly ascended to the top. This area, a gateway to the climbing site, also features rough paths leading to walking trails. The climber then encountered a distraught woman, holding a dog leash and accompanied by her husband. Upon learning their dog, Tommy, was likely in danger, the woman became understandably upset.
The climbers led the couple to the cliff edge, where they had heard the initial thud. There, about 10 metres below the cliff top, was Tommy, stranded on a narrow ledge. The climbers promptly returned to the ravine’s base to gather their extensive climbing gear, while Tommy’s owners remained above, comforting the stranded dog with their voices.
Equipped with an extra safety rope and the dog’s harness, which the husband fetched from their car, the climbers set up a rescue system. The husband assisted in anchoring the ropes to nearby trees, ensuring a safe descent for the rescue operation.
With the dog harness and a strong climbing cord, one climber carefully abseiled down to Tommy, securing him before making the ascent back to safety.
“I could tell that Tommy was very panicked but he knew that I was there to help him,” recalled the climber. “He allowed me to put on the harness and tie him to my side to climb back to the top of the cliff.”
Upon reaching the top, Tommy, overwhelmed with relief, showered his rescuers with affectionate kisses. The dog’s owners were immensely grateful, expressing heartfelt thanks to the climbers.
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