In the small town of McCleary, Washington, emotions ran high as a lost dog named “Puppy” was reunited with his family after a nerve-wracking 40-hour disappearance. The hero of this heartwarming story? Tino, a remarkable Search and Rescue dog on his very first mission.

Puppy, a hefty 150-pound Great Pyrenees, had gone missing during a horseback ride with his owner, Karen James. Filled with anxiety after two days of fruitless searching, the family turned to the dedicated team at Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue for assistance.

Enter Tino, a Search and Rescue dog with a nose for the extraordinary. Tasked with the mission to locate Puppy, Tino set out on his inaugural journey, and what unfolded was nothing short of a canine hero’s tale.

Tracking Puppy’s scent, Tino swiftly led the rescuers to a muddy gully less than a mile from his home. There, they discovered Puppy submerged in the muck, with only his head visible. It was a heart-stopping moment, but Tino’s skills shone through as he located the distressed dog.

It took the coordinated efforts of three rescuers to safely extricate Puppy from the muddy trap. Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue shared on Facebook, “Tino did a terrific job today, discovering this old dog stranded in the muck.”

Initially unable to use his hind legs, Puppy showed signs of distress from his hours stuck in the chilly muck. The dense forests stretching for miles around might have made it impossible for Puppy’s family to locate him without the invaluable assistance of a search dog like Tino.

Placed in a wagon and taken home, Puppy’s reunion with his family was a moment of sheer joy. Karen James expressed her gratitude, saying, “He couldn’t get out of the muck. We wouldn’t have spotted him since he was off the route far enough. And you know there’s miles and miles, acres and acres of wilderness out there to search. We would never have discovered him.”

This heartening rescue not only brought Puppy back to safety but also highlighted the incredible training and dedication of Tino. Trained for an impressive 16 months, this mission marked Tino’s first “Walk up find” of his career—a monumental success that undoubtedly saved a furry friend’s life.

In the end, Tino’s triumphant tale serves as a testament to the unwavering bond between humans and their heroic canine companions.