Dog disappears after canine confrontation on trail, sparking week-long drone-led search mission leading to his safe return after a couple were able to carefully approach him with treats, dog dad says: ‘His paws are sore but he's ok!’

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Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Mar 26, 2026 1:00 PM EDT

You may have thought that a doggo lost in the vastness of the mountains would be a lost cause, but with a bit of luck anything is possible.

Our story begins with an event which in itself was rather awful and unpredictable. After all, who was to know that a dog who should have been muzzled due to their behavior would come face to face with our runaway doggo on a tight mountain trail. But those are the cards that were dealt to this poor pupper who found themselves alone and injured after an altercation they had nothing to do with. And with the surroundings that this scared doggo found himself in being so dense and impenetrable one might consider a rescue attempt to be more than futile.

But that is where luck is always waiting to save the day. And with a good dose of good fortune a couple who had been aware of this pupper's disappearance happened upon the pupper while out for a walk. Resulting in a heartwarming reunion and a lot of lessons learned. 
 

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  • 01
    "WE GOT HIM!!"
    via junior4180
  • 02
    Hi everyone. Our dog Timber is lost, please do keep an eye out if you're in the canyon. He was last seen near the entrance to Ansel Watrous
    via junior4180
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    Campground. His name is Timber, and he's a sweetheart. He's wearing a red harness and a yellow leash like in the photos. He's 2 years old and 55lbs.
    via junior4180
  • 04
    My friend had taken him hiking in Young Gulch as I am currently laid up from knee suy. He had his dog along too. They were ated by another
    via junior4180
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    dog on the trail who bit all three of them. Everyone was leashed, but in the commotion, Timber bolted. My friend has a tore up finger and his dog is bl g around the
    via junior4180
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    Cheezburger Image 10610227456
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    neck. Timber is probably scared out of his mind and I'm not sure if he will approach a human or respond. And I'm stuck here at home feeling so helpless. Please, if anyone can
    via junior4180

  • Wow, this is truly an unimaginable situation. The last thing you would expect to happen when letting your friend care for your dog is that they end up in such a serious situation and your dog ends up bolting due to the commotion and likely the fear of not having their pawrent around. Not having that person who you love and who you know has your back just makes a situation like this so much tougher to deal with for a poor pupper who is mainly feeling panicked. But at least the dogs were leashed, it could have gone a whole lot worse if the aggressor or either doggos were free roaming. 

  • 08
    help at all, I would be so appreciative. He is so very loved. Thank you.
    via junior4180
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    We're still looking, unfortunately. I've been trying to track down a thermal drone, but not having much luck. One of the operators suggested I look
    via junior4180
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    Cheezburger Image 10610228224
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    into thermal binoculars, which I didn't know about. I'm finding that they are prohibitively expensive for us to buy, so I'm wondering if anyone might have a lead
    via junior4180
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    on where I could rent or borrow some? Maybe the hunters in your life, or inspectors, or anything like that? Thank you for any insight. And thank you all, again, for all
    via junior4180
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    of the support we received on the last post. It has truly been so helpful and uplifting for our heartbroken little family.
    via junior4180
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  • Jheez, like what are you meant to do when something like this happens? You are in such a remote and vast area that most tracking chips would be useless anyway and the surroundings are so dense with foliage that the chances of catching sight of the doggo are next to none. Thermal equipment would be a solid option, but still have their limits and are as our dog dad says, rather expensive. Thankfully this is the point in the story where lady luck takes over and saves the day. Whatever would we do without her?

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    EDIT: WE GOT HIM!! Timber was spotted again by a couple of folks who had seen him on my wife's instagram page, and they were able to slowly approach him with treats. They
    via junior4180
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    took him to Mishawaka Amphitheatre who held him for us. Huge thanks to them! His paws are sore but he's ok!Let me offer just the biggest, most
    via junior4180
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    heartfelt, GIGANTIC thank you to every single person on this page who helped in any way - whether it was spreading the word, keeping an eye out, or offering advice. ALL of it
    via junior4180
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    mattered and led to this. I just can't say thank you enough. We are absolutely bowled over by the amount of support that came out of these posts, and though we will never
    via junior4180
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    be able to properly show our gratitude to everyone, please just know that we are eternally grateful, and here to lend a hand if
    via junior4180
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    anyone ever needs it.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
    via junior4180

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search dogs treats safe disappear trail reddit story canine drone dog story return week mission dog dad couple
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