Our little brown dachshund, Bark, with a red harness and leash, was rescued from the Mississippi River at Crow Wing State Park on Sunday. Ironically, a "rescue" dog herself, Bark had been a breeding female with no socialization and in ill health when she was adopted. She got lost while out hiking with the rest of her pack. We searched for four hours and enlisted the help of bicyclists and other hikers. Bark had been seen but was terrified and eluded rescue. Ultimately, a Brainerd couple, Casey and Julie Troop, along with their Vizla, saw and chased down Bark just as she jumped into the river to escape. Casey went in after her, saving her from certain drowning. In a panic, she bit him on the lip for his troubles.
Casey and Julie went to the emergency room where his lip was stitched. Bark was bundled up and snuggled in her crate with her companion Badger, and we sped home exhausted from the ordeal. We are eternally grateful to those who helped us keep our pack intact: Casey, Julie and their Vizla; Carol, Mark and their dog Annie from Roseville; and the bikers who risked damaging their equipment in their quest to assist us.
Catherine Zimmer
St. Paul
