A difficult mountain hike in New Mexico took an unexpected turn when a huge dog named Atlas became too exhausted to make the trip back down on his own.
Here's what to know
According to the sheriff's office, as reported by KOAT, once Atlas could no longer keep going, deputies went up to reach him, and the trip back to safety stretched about four miles and lasted nearly five hours.
Open Space deputies with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office assisted the 120-to-130-pound dog by rotating through carrying him and then transferring him into a Stokes basket — a stretcher-style rescue device commonly used in challenging outdoor extractions — for the descent, with the rough terrain making the rescue especially difficult.
More background
A dog may seem full of energy at the start of a climb, but steep grades, rough footing, and long distances can take a serious toll, and making it back can become difficult.
As a reminder to hikers, the sheriff's office said people should plan for the full outing with their pets, not only the trip up. That means carrying enough water for both yourself and your dog, staying alert for signs of exhaustion, and recognizing that the return can be just as demanding.
At the end of the rescue, a sergeant gave Atlas a fitting title, calling him "the goodest boy we have ever rescued."
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Just like Atlas, other dogs in dangerous situations have required dramatic rescues — but dogs can also help save humans in treacherous conditions.
• In Maryland, firefighters used ropes to lift a 100-pound dog from a 17-foot well.
• At Colorado ski resorts, avalanche rescue dogs are trained to locate buried people faster than humans can.
• In Los Angeles, specialists and K9s searched wildfire debris for victims after devastating blazes.
• In Alaska, a conservation team relied on a prodigious pooch to track wolves by scat.
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