Husky does good: "modern-day Lassie hero"

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https://www.winknews.com/2018/07/04/after-husky-saves-deaf-hiker-on-alas...

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

After Husky saves deaf hiker on Alaska trail, others come forward saying he rescued them, too

Alaskan husky Nanook shot to fame last week when word of the pup’s heroic rescue of a deaf hiker in the frozen back country spread around the world. But his owner soon found out that wasn’t Nanook’s first — not by a long shot.

Nanook’s owner, Scott Swift, told CBS Anchorage affiliate KTVA-TV his pet always looks toward the trailhead of the 24-mile long Crow Pass Trail, which begins about half-a-mile from his home in Girdwood, Alaska. “I swear he just looks for cars that go by and runs up after them and goes on an adventure,” said Swift, “I just let him do his thing.”

Last week, Rochester Institute of Technology student Amelia Milling was on a three-day solo hike on the trail when she lost her footing and plummeted 600 feet down an icy mountain. That’s when Nanook appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and guided her back to the main path. The husky kept hiking with her and, a few miles later, she slipped trying to cross a freezing river. Nanook rescued her a second time, jumping in the frigid waters and paddling her to safety, where she jumped in her sleeping bag to stay warm, reports CBS affiliate KTVA-TV.

But, she wasn’t safe, not yet, and Nanook knew something was wrong. Amelia’s mother, Sharon Milling, told CBS affiliate KTYX-TV “She thought she was going to lie there until she recovered and then she would sit up and kind of gauge where she was at. She just wasn’t recovering. The dog kept licking her.”

Amelia, huddled in her sleeping bag, called for help. She hit the “SOS” button on her satellite messenger and struggled to stay awake until a helicopter arrived to get her.

Alaska State Trooper Lt. Eric Olsen was part of the team who responded to Amelia’s SOS. He said Nanook was waiting with her when they arrived. “Nookie was nothing short of a modern-day, Lassie (type) hero,” Olsen told KTVA-TV.

The husky completes the trail with strangers so much, about ten times a year, that Nanook’s owner engraved his collar with the title “Crow Pass Guide Dog.” It wasn’t until recently that Swift learned his pet was doing much more than keeping hikers company — he was saving their lives.

Swift says he knows his dog has saved three other hikers, and he “kinda wouldn’t doubt if there’s more out there.” Swift started a Facebook page for the pup to find other people he’d helped. Within a few days, he heard dozens of stories.

Nanook wasn’t trained by Swift to be a rescue dog. Swift said he got the husky at an adopt-a-pet event in a local Walmart parking lot, KTVA-TV says.

While the pup may have been rescued by his owner, Nanook has made it his life mission to rescue others.

That’s cool, good doggie.  She is probably from NTID which is part of RIT. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf is one of the largest and best schools for the deaf in the world.  

When you hit an SOS button and they rescue you, do they really present you a bill afterwards? Or is that just an urban myth?

When you hit an SOS button and they rescue you, do they really present you a bill afterwards? Or is that just an urban myth?<<<

I think it depends, but you've reminded me to re-up my Colorado hiker's insurance ... it's like $3 per year, best deal going.

I suspect that if there's a big mobilization effort involving a lot of resources and you've done something stupid to get into trouble ... then you might have a greater likelihood of getting stuck with the tab.

thats a good dog.   But I was expecting the barrel of brandy attached to his neck!

Cosmo topper

 

seriously awesome though, seriously 

What a Nice Doggy !!

I  bet the various hikers are stoked when the Hüsky shows up and joins them on their trek.

Then they stumble down a ravine,  bonk their head,  and Hüsky eats their granola bars while they are unconscious.

But being the people-friendly helpful breed,  Hüsky sticks around and helps the hiker survive.  

I cöexist with one of these creatures and know how they think...  "There must be more Food back at the Car.  Ooohhh,  rescue chopper! They have Food !!"

Every Hüsky loves going for long hikes and travel in general.  And they are picky eaters,  but love a large portion of 'People Food'  liek a Rib Roast,  lb. of Bacon,  fresh Pizza,  or whole Turkey.

Really though,  what a Cool Doggie.  Nanook should start a Dawg School and teach other Hüskies.

But being the people-friendly helpful breed<<<

What's your experience with them and cats?

Oscar the cat who lives a couple doors down and behind me was put into critical condition by a neighborhood husky who apparently got the cat in its mouth and shook it around violently.   Oscar then had to be coaxed out from a hiding place next door to me while he was on the brink of death.  It was the same hiding place that my cat used to go to hide out.   The husky and his sibling are at least the third set the "owner" has had & he seems to be pretty good at training them (aside from the initial "break in" period when they run off all the time) ... so I'm not sure it'd be fair to say it's a product of bad training, but who knows.   I know cats and dogs will occasionally get into it, but wasn't sure if Husky's are more prone?

But yeah, Nanook does seem like a cool dog!

"... cats and dogs will occasionally get into it, but wasn't sure if Husky's are more prone? "

In general,  the Siberian Husky breed are known for 'high prey drive'  but I've no experience w/ Alaskan Huskies.  Mine has been around Cats at some pet-sitters' homes,  but those Kittehs stayed away from the Dogs.  He has killed a Rabbit and a Guinea Hen,  chased Deer and harassed Horses.

I've heard of Huskies that get along fine with domestic Cats,  and my guess is that I could get a pet Kitten with no learned fear of Dogs.  Then they could adapt to each other.  But currently,  if it runs away,  he chases it. There's one Zoner who found a new home for a pair of Huskies,  and they got along with pet Cats. 

I imagine many breeds are similar in this regard, was just curious ... didn't realize there's a big distinction between the Alaskan and Siberian Husky.

I think the 'Alaskan Husky'  is faster than the 'Siberian Husky'  but isn't an AKC - recognized breed.  Then there's the 'Alaskan Malamute'  which is larger than both Husky types,  and bred to pull heavier loads for longer distances.

The Siberian Huskies originally came from the Chukchi people in Siberia,  who exported  breeding stock to Alaska when the communists invaded.  Actually there's some story of the Huskies being able to keep the locals mobile while the Soviet tanks / vehicles froze up in the cold climate.

I used to like Huskys as-as-breed-but the Husky Slam Dance has left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I think the 'Alaskan Husky'  is faster than the 'Siberian Husky'  but isn't an AKC - recognized breed<<<

Does the AKC consider the Alaskan Husky a "mutt"?

My neighbors JUST got a new puppy they believe to be a Husky / Shepard mix.   She's friendly enough, but crossing my fingers that she won't be a "barker".