Story with a happy ending. I could never leave one of my dogs alone on top of a mountain. Just wouldn't happen. Kudos to the rescuers!

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t2#/vi ... ntain.kusa

Apparently there were 20 pages of posts on 14ers.com.

While I could conceive of a situation where the dog had to be abandoned, I would go back ASAP to rescue my best friend. To do nothing for 8-days speaks volumes about the "owner."

Apparently there were 20 pages of posts on 14ers.com.

Actually 46. Until the topic was locked.

And then the owners that deserted him have the gall to state they want him back! However, it sounds like one of the rescuers wants to keep him - I hope he succeeds.

What kind of person leaves his dog behind? And, doesn't go back for him? And, then has the balls to ask for him back?

I think Ortalani should be dragged back to 13,000 feet and chained to a rock. I'll post a picture of him on the web with the story about his dog (on http://www.pieceofshit.com). If after 8 days he is still alive then he can have his dog back -- but only if he is rescued by Michael Vick.

This guy makes Haas look good . . .

Here's my perspective based upon first hand experience with a very similar situation:
http://www.summitpost.org/a-cautionary- ... rse/584230

WebTraveler wrote:And then the owners that deserted him have the gall to state they want him back! However, it sounds like one of the rescuers wants to keep him - I hope he succeeds.

They are not owners; once you abandon something it's not yours any more.

Please, please, please don't start down this path. The discussion on 14ers.com got very nasty and really exposed quite a few people. In my opinion, many people came out of that discussion looking very bad, foolish, and selfish. It has done some lasting damage to the site's reputation and membership.

Not trying to be dramatic, just advising NOT to go down this route... just kill the thread and talk about something else...

He's not being dramatic at all. It got nasty. The kind of nasty that made you just weary of the whole subject. I actually just popped in here right now to escape the still ongoing conversations about it there. I'd just leave it be.

I agree there's nothing to be gained by stating our opinions on the situation, especially since neither the rescuers nor the original owner are part of the thread like they were on 14ers.com. However, I'm curious about the guy's claim that he called 911 and the sheriff's office told him to pound sand.

Locally, I know that SAR has responded to injured dogs in the past, although it's not common. Further, if the sheriff refused to help and the dog died as a result, I'm pretty sure the local populace would be out with pitchforks; he'd be lucky to be voted out in November rather than run out of town before then.

Does anyone have insight/experience with this? I live in a very dog-friendly community and I can totally understand that other counties might feel differently, but I'm curious how often this comes up and what the outcome typically is.

Personal feelings aside, there seems to be a big disconnect between the sheriff refusing to assist and then filing charges against the guy.

I hike and trail run with two dogs regularly. Sometimes I take them into 2nd to mild 3rd class scrambling situations, but am wary of several potential issues when considering taking them along, as well as when considering turning back without summitting:

1. Are their bodies and paws currently tough/in good shape, but not overused/injured from recent adventures? Will dog booties help and did I bring them along?

2. Is it cool enough out for them (their tolerance for heat and ability to cool off is less than mine)? Is the ground too hot for their paws or for their bodies to be constantly near? Is there water, snow, and/or shade for relief from sun and heat? Did I pack a way to provide water to them if necessary? They dissipate heat through paws, mouth, and nose; they don't sweat.

3. Are the conditions and terrain simply too dangerous,technical and/or rough to continue?

4. Can I carry the dogs out myself from wherever I am if necessary?

5. Am I prepared to stay put for several days for paws to heal?

One time, I did take the dogs into rougher and warmer terrain than they were currently prepared for and farmer's carried them out by their harnesses. 100 pounds on one side and 40 pounds on the other for a few miles with a few thousand feet of gain was the only lesson I needed to be more careful. They love hiking with me and will follow until they are hurting significantly, so it is my responsibility to be prepared and watch out for them.

Although agile, my dogs are more cautious than I am when it comes to climbing (and I don't spend much time beyond class 2 myself), so they are not likely to put themselves in a situation they can't get out of and even less likely to end up in a situation I can't get them out of myself without help from anyone else. It is nice to know someone might rescue me and/or my dogs if something goes severely wrong, but I don't go in expecting help will be available and would have to be absolutely unable to get myself and my dogs out before seeking assistance.

Below is a setup that I find helpful for keeping dogs attached to me and leashed in the backcountry. The dogs can pull me uphill. It helps me pull and carry the dogs ocassionally while scrambling as well. If I come across other trail users, I make sure my dogs are reeled in and out of the way.

http://howlingdogalaska.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28&products_id=117

Fletch wrote:
Not trying to be dramatic, just advising NOT to go down this route... just kill the thread and talk about something else...

When my dogs get tired, I use Dr Scholl's gel inserts ... wow, they work 95.5 % of the time .....

Missy is quite mellow.


I'd guess Missy is north of 70#, more than I could carry.

This news release states that Missy weighed 112 # ..

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/man-charged-abandoning-dog-colo-mountain-17030701#.UDDmj6CQl_Y

Just another case where people don't want to take personal responsibility for something that (once) belonged to them. Sad ..