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A dog that ran away from his Colorado home five weeks ago was miraculously found in the Rocky Mountains by a hiker who heard the slightest yip off into the distance, according to reports.
The 9-year-old sheltie named Riley somehow survived in the treacherous terrain for more than a month after walking away from his owner’s yard in April.
He was rescued when hiker Zach Hackett heard a single “yip” and spotted the dog, which was drained of energy and starving, according to the Summit Daily.
“He knew he was in trouble. He knew he needed to be rescued,” Hackett told the news outlet. “So that little ‘yip’ was the only exertion of energy he had that night. It was a, ‘Hey, save me.’”
Hackett wrapped the black and white pup in a windbreaker and carried Riley for two hours down the mountain to safety, including across the Blue River. Some spots on the mountain still had snow that was several feet deep.
He was reunited with owner Mike Krugman days later who was thankful to have the dog back.
Riley, one of six dogs in the Krugman home, was actually Mike’s late wife’s dog. She died in January.
“He was my wife’s dog, so he always sleeps on her pillow,” Krugman said, according to KDVR.
Riley was let out on April 8 to roam around the property, and because of the deep snow, Krugman believes he was able to walk over the fence and from there just kept going.
He called Summit Lost Pet Rescue for help after he couldn’t locate Riley.
“Then five weeks and a day later I get a call from the shelter, somebody found him,” Krugman said, according to the station.
“He traveled 4 miles and up,” Krugman added. “We live at 8,200 feet and he was found at 12,000 feet.”
