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.”
Desperate Puppy Trapped in Slaughterhouse, Pleading for Help with Heartbreaking Eyes
Meet Toby! This story began with a heartbreaking photograph that broke our hearts. Toby was bound and wrapped in a bag, his eyes filled with terror and misery. His life was hanging by a thread, with the fear of execution just minutes away. We realised we needed to move quickly.
We rushed Toby to the vet since his condition was critical. Toby’s ordeal had rendered him paralysed, a defence mechanism, a desperate attempt to protect himself from the horrors of the world. He had clearly lost trust in humanity, and his initial check found no broken bones. The idea of crushed nerves was investigated, but one thing was certain: Toby had suffered greatly.
Toby was extremely resilient despite his pain and terror. He never complained, silently suffering the trials that life had placed upon him. Toby, like any other dog, deserved a chance at a normal existence, in our opinion.
The road to recovery began with acupuncture, and Toby surprised us by being unusually calm and cooperative. The tiny angel gradually began to trust us, and his true beautiful nature began to come through.
Today, Toby exudes happiness. While his walk remains difficult, his eyes tell a different story – one of joy, resilience, and unexpected optimism. His left leg has steadily grown stronger, allowing him to lift his body and take the first steps towards a brighter future.
Many people have been following Toby’s growth, and one generous woman gave him a wheelchair. It was an exciting time for Toby as he relished his newfound freedom. He now runs everywhere, a testament to his tenacity.
But Toby’s adventure does not end there. He continues to undergo acupuncture treatments and benefits from swimming therapy. Every day, he lives a life full of happiness, love, and caring.
It’s hard to believe that just four months ago, Toby’s life was in jeopardy. He might not have lived to see this day if fate had been one minute later. Toby’s story is a testament to the power of kindness, resilience, and second chances. He is a living reminder that every being is deserving of love, care, and the chance to live a life of happiness and purpose. Toby, you genuinely deserve all of the world’s love.
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