Standard poodle lost in Washington ski area

15 years ago

I haven't posted here for a while, but I want to help spread the news of a champion standard poodle who became lost on Sunday in the mountains around the Alpental Ski Area at Snoqualmie Pass. I have three standards of my own, and I can imagine how devastated the owners feel, not knowing where their beloved dog is, or if he's safe.

Here's the link to the poodle forum where I found out about the missing dog:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/69361585@N00/discuss/72157615273378048/

I've also added a link, below, to a news item and video.

If you're in or near the area, please keep an eye out for Zak, and help bring him home to his family.

Here is a link that might be useful: News story about Zak

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Comments (13)

mazer415
15 years ago
I e-mailed the owners to advise they should contact a bloodhound search and rescue organization as quickly as possible. Right now the larger predators are waking from hybernation and the poodle is at high risk as a result. Hopefully things will turn out okay.
It just goes to show it is imperitive to have your dog on a leash and under voice control everywhere you go. I have friends that hike the Sierra Nevada range on a regular basis and they have done extra training with their dog because the environment is different with different perils and dangers. It is an environment where you can succumb easily - even being familar with where you are.
cailinriley
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, mazer. Any help and suggestions are welcome and yours is a great one. The poodle is not clipped to withstand the cold for long, and he'd be an easy target for predators. I hope the owner is able to contact a bloodhound search and rescue.

I'm sure the dog was always under control when his owner is with him, but he and two other dogs escaped from a lodge while the owner was skiing. Somehow, the dogs got the door open and ran out to play. The other two dogs were found, but Zac is still out there.

Hopefully, someone picked him up and took him somewhere warm and safe. But his owner desperately wants him back.

I'm giving my own poodles lots of hugs and snuggles tonight.
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sephia
15 years ago
I live in Seattle and know the area where the dog, Zak, is missing. Snoqualmie Pass is about 3 hrs from Seattle. I have skied there many times. I did some research and sent the owner an e-mail with 12 website URLs along with the phone numbers of rescue groups that could get there in a hurry.
todancewithwolves
15 years ago
What a sad story. I hope they find him.
cailinriley
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you so much, sephia!

Yes, todancewithwolves...it's especially sad to think that this dog was seen, by several people, running up and down the hill looking for someone familiar. Too bad no one took him to the main lodge.

It breaks my heart to picture this wonderful dog being lost, alone, cold and frightened. If one of my poodles went missing, especially in an area like that, I'd be in a total panic. I don't imagine anyone will be searching until dawn. Let's hope Zak found a warm place to sleep.
cailinriley
Original Author
15 years ago
At 6:30 PM (Pacific Daylight Time), Zak was found, alive and well, by a skier in the backcountry. The skier heard Zak barking, and found him in a "nice little den". He's on his way home!

I was wrong about Zak being missing since Sunday; he actually disappeared on Saturday, so he managed to survive on his own for 3 days. What a clever boy to make a den for himself, and to bark so he could be found.

Thanks to everyone who pitched in to help, with ideas for the family, or with good wishes for Zak's recovery. Goes to prove that you shouldn't give up! I'm so happy for this beautiful boy and his family!!
sephia
15 years ago
Oh my gosh, what a happy ending!
annzgw
15 years ago
So glad you did a followup post since that dog has been on my mind! Very lucky owners!!
cat_mom
15 years ago
Yay!!!!!!
kathleenca
15 years ago
This is just so grand! Thank you for letting us know, cailinriley.
northy
15 years ago
That is one lucky dog! I'm so glad to read this had a happy ending.
cailinriley
Original Author
15 years ago
The owner's mom posted a message on a forum this morning. I hope it's OK to quote from it; I want to share because it's so sweet (words in brackets are mine to help clarify):

"Zak is eating and drinking. She (his owner) said he is more subdued than normal but is doing well. She said she was awakened many times during the night by Zak placing a paw on her ...she would open her eyes and he was just sitting staring at her..he did the same thing to Mic (owner's husband) during the night also. "

Apparently, it was more than just luck that got Zak rescued, although there was a lot of that as well. The skiers knew about the reports of the missing poodle and, when they heard barking, they started their search. It took 1 1/2 hours to locate the dog, who was standing next to his make-shift den. Zak willingly followed the skiers and the three of them eventually crossed paths with the owner, who was out on snowshoes looking for her poodle. I wish I could have witnessed the reunion!!

Mazer, I heard that the owner had contacted some rescue dog organizations, probably because of your idea, but none had been dispatched because of bad weather. The owner's husband also had someone with a helicopter on standby, for when the weather cleared. Sephia, I'm sure the owners contacted all of the numbers you gave them; it sounded like they got in touch with anyone and everyone who could help. Thanks, again, for helping.

It goes to show how important it is to get word out if your pet is missing, especially in such a dangerous location. If the skiers had not heard the reports, they probably would have thought nothing of the barking.

Here is a link that might be useful: News of the rescue (with photos)
cailinriley
Original Author
15 years ago
Apparently, someone from Inside Edition (the TV News/Entertainment Magazine) contacted the owner. They were also hoping to get hold of the rescuers, too. I wonder if they'll do a re-enactment. Last I heard, the story will air this week. I've set my recorder; hope I catch it!

I need to fix an error in the post above...Mic is not the owner's husband...Mic is the mother who has cancer. It's hard to keep track of who's who when you're not a regular on a forum.

Standard poodle lost in Washington ski area

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