28/07/2025
The accident happened in the blink of an eye. Just outside of Horseshoe Bend, Lee overcorrected his car and slammed into a rock wall. The crash was brutal—so violent, in fact, that Lee was thrown through the windshield. He doesn’t remember the impact, only waking up in the hospital after being Life Flighted to Boise, battered and broken.
But Lee’s first thought wasn’t about himself. It was about his best friend—his tiny Chihuahua, Bernie—who had been with him in the car.
In the chaos after the crash, terrified and disoriented, little Bernie had bolted. Gone in an instant, running full-speed into the wild unknown, trying to escape the horror he’d just witnessed.
Four long days passed. Lee, desperate to find Bernie, left the hospital still in immense pain—so nauseous and weak from his injuries he could barely stand—driven only by love and fear for his lost companion. He tried to search, but his body gave out. That’s when I was tagged on the post and he reached out, asking for help.
I knew time was critical. I immediately gave Lee the most important survival tips in case Bernie appeared. Then, I loaded up my trap and headed straight to the area where Bernie had last been spotted.
That sighting came from Karen, a homeowner about three miles from the crash site. She’d seen Bernie darting through her property and had reached out to Lee. She met me and walked me through where she’d seen him. She wanted Bernie safe too.
I set up the trap drizzling hot bacon grease along the path and through the trap, laying a trail no hungry pup could resist of hotdogs and chicken. A camera was mounted and activated. And then… we waited.
An hour passed. No Bernie. I told Karen I’d be monitoring the camera remotely and would alert her the moment he arrived.
A few hours later, there he was—Bernie—on camera, sniffing his way toward the trap. I notified Karen and jumped into the car for the 30-minute drive back. Before I left the house the trap door closed and Bernie was safe.
I called Karen immediately. By fate’s perfect timing, one of Lee’s friends had just arrived at her house to help look. When he approached the trap, Bernie recognized him right away. His little tail wagged like crazy—he knew he was going home.
After days of heartbreak, fear, and pain, Bernie was back in loving arms and on his way to reunite with Lee.
It took a village: Lee’s determination, Karen’s compassion, a community willing to share a post, and the tag that lead Lee to reach out to me. Every step mattered. Every person played a part in saving Bernie’s life—from the cold, the predators, and the pain of being alone.
Now, Lee can begin his healing journey, both body and spirit, with his best friend by his side—just as it should be.
Wishing Lee and Bernie all the love and strength in the world. I’m so honored to have played a small part in bringing them back together.
I want to thank the public for stepping up and donating money to cover my expenses. If you would like to donate for the next one please use the links below.
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