St. Bernards are typically thought of as the ones that charge to the rescue of those lost on snowy slopes, while bringing along a spot of spirits to calm frayed nerves.
But last week, the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team were the ones called in to save a weary St. Bernard in distress on England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike.
The dog, Daisy, had collapsed on the way down from the summit and wasn’t able to get up — though it’s not clear if the dog was in pain or just had enough of the hike.
“Our members didn’t need to think twice about mobilising and deploying to help retrieve Daisy off England’s highest,” the Wasdale team said.
Many rescue team members have their own dogs — and so, 16 volunteers jumped into action.
“At Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team we recognise that our mission, ‘to save life and alleviate distress” extends further than just the visitors and the local community who visit or live within our area of responsibility,” the group added.
Police reached out to the search and rescue squad for help on July 24. Daisy’s owners kept her fed and hydrated while they waited for help.
Once volunteers reached the scene, they gave the pooch pain medication and went to work figuring out how to bring the 55 kilogram (121 pound) dog down.
Bribery in the form of treats helped manoeuvre her onto a stretcher.
“Apart from the odd little adjustment, the evacuation was found to be not that much different to a normal adult evacuation which is of course is the bread and butter of our team, which we have done hundreds of times before,” Wasdale MRT explained.
The entire rescue took about four hours.
Daisy’s owners said their dog slept well that night, though perhaps snored a little louder than usual, but was in fine form by morning.
“She apparently feels a bit guilty and slightly embarrassed about letting down the image of her cousins bouncing across the Alpine snows with barrels of brandy around their necks,” the search and rescue group continued.
The team thanked local vets for their advice and Daisy who was so cooperative.
“A massive whole 55kg thank you to Daisy the St Bernard who was so well behaved throughout the whole rescue, the perfect casualty you could say,” the said.
