When Freddy, a six-month-old Golden Retriever puppy, went missing in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, his family was devastated. They missed their pup dearly and held onto hope, wishing to have him back in their arms.
His owners, Pamela and Joe Palko, managed to get past the initial shock and took action to bring their beloved puppy home. They posted about Freddy on social media, asking for help, and distributed flyers. To enhance their search efforts, they hired two companies: one specializing in search dogs and another using drone technology. Despite these efforts, the weeks passed with no news of Freddy.
A Shocking Discovery
While a hiker named Collin Leiby was exploring a route on Sharp Mountain, he was taken aback when his dog, Bass, veered off trail. Following Bass, Leiby arrived at an abandoned coal pit, where he noticed movement within. To his astonishment, it was a wagging tail belonging to none other than Freddy, who had been trapped ten feet down in the pit and looked up at him pleadingly for help. Leiby felt a surge of emotion, stating, “A tear came to my eye. I started calling his name. He slowly got up and started walking toward us,” he told The Associated Press.
With Freddy’s determination, he climbed partway up the icy wall, and Leiby reached down to pull him from the pit. The puppy was anxious, whimpering and jumping towards his rescuer, eager to reunite with his family. Comforting Freddy, Leiby promised to take him home. He had an extra leash and attached it to Bass, leading both dogs back to the trail. Meanwhile, the Palko family was at the local shelter following a tip when they received the heartwarming news that someone had found their beloved pup.
A Heartwarming Reunion
The joy was palpable as the couple rushed home, desperate to ensure Freddy was alright. After enduring such a harrowing experience, Freddy appeared confused, as noted by their neighbor and retired veterinarian, Dr. Carolyn Canizaro-Orlowsky, “He just was a little frantic, hungry and confused,” she told The Associated Press. However, the moment Freddy spotted his parents, his tail began to wag, signaling his happiness at the reunion.
The Palko family breathed a sigh of relief as they realized that their pup was in good health, albeit slightly underweight due to his time away from home. Freddy was overjoyed to be back with his family, where their love would help him forget the nightmare he’d endured.
Gratefully, Freddy is back with his family, and their love will help him move on from the ordeal he faced. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Collin Leiby for rescuing this puppy and uniting him with the family who never gave up hope.
