Blind Dog Who Disappeared in -40°F Weather Reunited with Owner

(Photo: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

Madera, an 11-year old Labrador Retriever, is completely blind. She lives in Fairbanks, Alaska with Ed Davis, her owner. On February 6, Davis let her outside briefly to relieve herself. Madera usually does her business then comes right back in. But this time, Madera started wandering. She vanished into the snowy darkness.

On February 19, Constantine Khrulev, another local resident, was out biking with his own dog. They heard another dog whining and investigated. It was Madera! The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner describes the rescue:

Khrulev went into the woods and found her under a tree, more than 100 yards from the trail and about half a mile from Davis’ house.

“She was not going to be found accidentally,” Davis said.

Khrulev took Madera to one of Davis’ neighbors. The dog had lost about 14 pounds but was otherwise in good health, Davis said. Her rescuer asked for the $100 reward money to go the the Fairbanks Animal Shelter Fund, a gesture that so impressed Davis that he decided to increase the donation to $250.

-via AP