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Dog survives alone for days in winter wilderness

Rubia the dog gets lost on Coquihalla Highway for four days.
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Rubia.

It was just before Christmas when Mark was traveling home along the Coquihalla, he had just stopped at a break check point and got out of his vehicle, when disaster struck.

His puppy, Rubia, slipped from her collar, got spooked and ran into the woods off the side of the highway.

Mark was approximately 10 kilometres north of Merritt and was headed to Kamloops.

The stormy winter weather made it difficult to look for Rubia especially as night approached.

Angel’s Animal Rescue, a charity in Merritt, was contacted and began spreading the word via social media.

A post regarding the missing pup was shared more than 600 times on the rescue’s Facebook page. The public was asked to keep an eye out for a medium sized, beige-coloured dog, just under a year old and very friendly.

Then after days with no word on Rubia’s whereabouts two women driving along the Coquihalla highway north of Merritt caught a glimpse of something on the side of the road.

According to Angel’s Animal Rescue, it was Monday evening when the women spotted an animal’s eyes shinning in the distance. They decided to pull over and sure enough there was Rubia.

“When they slowed they realized it was a malnourished dog. Where many may not have stopped for her, these two caring ladies did,” stated the rescue online.

She was dehydrated, scared and exhausted after spending more than four days lost in the wilderness all alone.

The women contacted Angel’s Animal Rescue who took the dog in until Mark was able to retrieve her.

After thinking the worst had befallen his best friend, Mark was given a special Boxing Day surprise and was reunited with Rubia.

She is reported to be doing well and safe at home.

Angel's Animal Rescue is volunteer run and organized with the main purpose of caring for abused, neglected, unwanted, and rescued dogs.



Jen Zielinski

About the Author: Jen Zielinski

Graduated from the broadcast journalism program at BCIT. Also holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science and sociology from Thompson Rivers University.
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