For today’s post I have something a bit different to my usual musings – this post concerns a real life story that impacted my family last week. Even though it truly is a remarkable story in and of itself (one providing a perfect antidote to today’s winter-comes-way-too-early weather in Colorado!), it also offers a heartwarming affirmation that sometimes luck and persistence pays off (a belief all of us writers should embrace, especially in our darkest moments…)
Last Monday, my mother-in-law was out walking her beloved border collie,Tess, in the Australian bush outside the Victorian era mining town she lives in, when the dog literally disappeared. One minute Tess was scampering through the undergrowth, the next minute she was gone. My mother-in-law called for her frantically for nearly an hour, but there was no answer – and no sign of Tess. By the time we received the news in Colorado, Tess had been missing the whole day – and by then the anxious waiting was already taking its toll. Had Tess run off after kangaroo or been bitten by a snake? In an area known for abandoned mine shafts (during Victorian times, this was a huge gold mining area), had she fallen down one and been injured? Another day passed and hope was fading – it’s almost summer in Australia and there hadn’t been any rain for almost a month. How could she survive when there was no water to be found? Three more days passed and we all feared the worst…
Then at midnight we received the most remarkable call – Tess had been found alive and well after having fallen some 5-10 meters down an abandoned mine shaft. It was a movie-like moment and (as you will see from the photos) a truly remarkable ending that has captured the local imagination (and news!) in Australia. Even now, after a weekend to digest the news, I don’t think any of us can truly believe what just happened. For my mother-in-law it was the kindness of a friend who went back to an area that had been searched 2-3 times and who just happened to be at the right place and the right time to her Tess whimpering from the depths of this mine shaft:
Then they waited for the specialist mine-shaft rescue team (yes, they have one!) to drive over from nearby Bendigo and watched as they winched down a man who grabbed Tess and held her as they winched them both back up:
And here is the lucky dog, herself, looking none the worse for her experience. As far as the vet can tell she suffered nothing more than a scratch on the nose (and some dehydration of course).
This is such a lovely story of how luck and persistence came together to save a dog’s life, that I simply had to share it.
I think we can all take heart, that sometimes, miracles do happen!
For those interested in seeing the news story on Tess’ rescue – I’ve posted the link below:
Awww! Tess is a cutie. So glad she was found and they were able to get her out.
She really is the sweetest dog and super smart and obedient (which is why her disappearance was such a puzzle at first).
What a day brightener!
It certainly is – and at the moment we need one in Colorado as it’s bitterly cold and snowy!
I love this story, Clare. I’m a mega animal lover & have 3 rescue dogs (1 adopted recently). What a lucky girl Tess is. I’m happy for you & your family.
We’re all huge animal lovers so we were all devastated when she went missing – but it was a great ending to the story for sure!
Aww, what an amazing story, Clare. So glad Tess is all right.
We couldn’t believe she wasn’t injured at all (it was a long way down!)l but apparently the mine shaft had a lot of debris and tree branches sticking into it so that probably helped break her fall.
I love a happy ending, too! Happy for your mom and Tess.
One of those annoying comments writers get is “that wouldn’t happen in real life.” Sometimes, yes, yes, it does. Life can be weird and wonderful, and miracles happen.
I think we still can’t quite believe it because it does have that ‘it could never happen in real life’ ring to it!
What a wonderful story to start the day on. So happy for your mother-in-law and for that cute puppy.
We’re all still beaming:)
Thanks for the good-news story and I’m glad Tess is okay.
Aw. Thanks for the great story today….as I sit here surrounded by my two little rescue mutts. So glad it had a happy ending.
A beautiful, heart-warming story, Claire. So happy little Tess was found and rescued safely. I have a tri-color eleven-yr-old border collie mix — probably part pomeranian, because his tail curls up over his back–that was, in part, a rescue dog. He belonged to our next-door neighbors (when I still lived in Vegas–I’m in NW Wisconsin now)) who kept getting loose. We’d catch him and tie him up until his owner came home. After a few months of this, I asked if I could have him. It was obvious they didn’t care much for the little fella (named Rocky) and we had a walled-in backyard where he could play and be safe. So they gave him to me.
Great story. We should never give up on each other or on our dreams until we…die.
Teresa
Glad the doggie is safe and sound!
Thank you for sharing such a heart warming story. Who doesn’t need to hear about a miracle now and then? It is good for one’s soul.
And yes, so very glad sweet Tess was found and reunited with her human mom. Made me smile.