r/MadeMeSmile • u/danielminds • 21h ago
Wholesome Moments Missing for over 48 hours after an avalanche in Alaska, 4-year-old LouLou is spotted from a helicopter and finally reached by her rescuer
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u/bluepied 20h ago
Just sitting there waiting for someone to come for her!! Hug your doggies!!!
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u/mordakiisyn 20h ago
Don't forget the cats and every other beloved pet and loved one.
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u/lauraform_ 18h ago
“All lives matter” ahh comment
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u/sepulturite 18h ago
You can say ass on Reddit ffs 🙄
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u/jane-bukowski 18h ago
you can say for fucks sake on reddit too.
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u/sepulturite 18h ago
Aaaah you got me there!
(That aaaah wasn't meant to be ass in case anyone is wondering 😁)
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u/Any-Advantage-3171 9h ago
Yeah but it takes longer to type. Ahh and ass have the same amount of letters, saves no time NO TIME
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u/Which_Baby_Girl 20h ago
I can’t imagine how those 48 hours must have felt for everyone searching for her. What a relief to finally bring her to safety ❤️
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u/Successful-League840 19h ago
What about how the doggo felt ☹️
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u/3BlindMice1 19h ago
"It's super nice and peaceful out here" based on my experience with husky mixes
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u/LaLionneEcossaise 18h ago
A husky would have been “naw, dude. I’m good. I’ll come home when I’m ready. Just let me enjoy the snow, man.”
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u/beetle-being-blue 14h ago
Does anyone know if dogs can get frostbite on their paws?
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u/ehchvee 13h ago
They definitely can - we get warned not to leave pets outdoors for more than a few minutes when it gets bitter in Jan/Feb where I am. Fortunately it looks like this dog was walking reasonably well, so no/little pain, and softer snow tends to conduct cold a bit less effectively than hard surfaces (ice, concrete, densely packed crunchy snow etc.). Either way, poor dog! The husky in her was probably a blessing, ha.
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u/0w1 12h ago
Yes. I live in Minnesota, last winter when I had to bring in my kitty to an emergency vet for a respiratory illness, we had to wait in our room for around 8-9 hours while other emergencies were prioritized. The other emergencies were frostbitten paws. People forget how delicate dog paws can be when they take them for walks in below zero temps, so apparently it's fairly common.
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u/imunfair 17h ago
I mean it was part husky, not surprising it was just chilling. Probably only bothered to go with them because it figured food was on offer.
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u/czechhoneybee 19h ago
I had never considered this, but my dog is white with speckles and if we lost her in the snow she would be actively impossible to find. Perhaps I’ll invest in a little vest for her. I don’t have helicopter search party money lol
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u/Slacker_The_Dog 16h ago
As someone who has had to search for many things in the deep snow, I can tell you red is the easiest color to spot.
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u/Uncommonality 10h ago
Yup
Yellow is invisible, orange isn't much contrast, blue/black/green is the color of rocks or plants. Red is the only color that can't be mistaken for anything else in the snow
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u/illbebackpain 15h ago
really! not neon orange/yellow?
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u/Slacker_The_Dog 15h ago
Neon yellow is basically invisible in snow. Orange is not as much of a contrast against white as red is.
I grew up in Minnesota and currently live in Fargo so I've spent some time with snow.
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u/Sad-Bodybuilder-3304 13h ago
Okay, living around that much snow definitely gives your opinion more weight than someone just guessing from a picture. It’s funny how a color that looks so bright normally can practically disappear once everything turns white.
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u/wirechewer 12h ago
Ayyy I lived in Duluth MN and Grand Forks ND....
I feel you about the snow 🙃
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u/Unsd 8h ago
UND? Or air force? There's no other reason a rational person would live in grand forks. Worst place I've ever lived. The polar vortex just made it that much worse.
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u/wirechewer 5h ago
Youuu guessed it lmao! Parent going to UND. Grand Forks was actually fine for us, though. We were coming from Flint, MI in the 2000s. It was like a while other world to me at the time. Like what do you mean it's extremely unlikely someone will shoot through our windows? Mind blowing (no pun intended).
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u/CleverCarrot999 14h ago
Like a medium shade of red? Not particularly dark red I’m assuming?
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u/Uncommonality 10h ago
the richest most saturated bright red you can find.
Darker means it looks closer to black when the eye is adapted to snow, which is the color of rocks and plants
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u/GorgeousCupcakeX 14h ago
Think about the polar opposites, therefore dark red is easier to spot in the snow.
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u/freedomachiever 17h ago
Yeah a bright reflectant vest and an AirTag would make it much easier
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u/amboyscout 17h ago
Airtag ain't gonna do shit in unpopulated areas
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u/whichwitch9 17h ago
An air tag is how they found her.
It pinged half a mile off originally, but they did eventually get closer ones
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u/amboyscout 16h ago
It took low-flying pilots to get a closer ping. The range is super short.
I'd imagine the rescue would have been similar with or without the airtag.
Depending on adoption in your area, a Meshtastic/Meshcore tracker would be better. From a plane/helicopter it would be 100x better because you'd have line of sight coverage.
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u/newagereject 16h ago
Gotta go gps collar, they last roughly 5 to 6 days depending but that might be enough to get your animal back
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u/amboyscout 15h ago
GPS collar is very likely the best option though a LoRa mesh device may have an edge if cell signal is poor.
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u/freedomachiever 8h ago
I bought snow shoes and clothing last year with a sensor, I don’t remember what it was, but I suppose that could be helpful to find humans. GPS collars sound like a good idea and should probably be officially recommended.
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u/newagereject 1h ago
The biggest issue is battery life but as long as you charge them every chance you get it can be helped
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u/newagereject 16h ago
My brother's dog got out and ran when we were at the campgrounds outside of the Grand Canyon. The only way he found his dog was the reflective vest he had on him at the time. We were out wandering the desert for almost an hour before i got a call that they found him.
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u/wirechewer 12h ago
Our wolf dog (who we did not know was a wolf dog when we got her) was all white. And an incredible escape artist. This meant that hunting her down in the winter was especially hard. It bordered on an extreme sport to be honest. When I was around ten years old I came home from school to find shed escaped again. So I followed her tracks through the snow in circles for hours... And then at one point I looked up and she was sitting up the hill. BUT I would have never seen her if not for her bright pink collar. She was almost invisible against the snow. Please do get something bright lol. Take it from me.
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u/100_cats_on_a_phone 9h ago
Lost my girl in the deep woods. Someone finally glimpsed her five days later because of her orange vest. Strongly recommend having one in the car even if you don't always use it.
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u/Talk-O-Boy 17h ago
If you obtain a large bird of prey, they can use their enhanced eyesight to find your dog and lift him out of the snow.
You’d be surprised at their feats, for example, a hawk can spot a worm on the ground from orbit.
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u/RefuseAffectionate84 12h ago
You might have drone search money! And vests for dogs are so cute anyway lol
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u/Diligent-Nebula-1008 15h ago
No way is the reporter for this called Amanda Barker
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u/QuantitySharp2662 8h ago
Cut to Amanda, who is clearly just a Golden Retriever with glasses on, just smile panting at you 😂
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u/TheSandyman23 14h ago
Insane how far I had to scroll to find mention of that. I was starting to think I was the only one to notice.
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u/tvtoad50 14h ago
Usually I think those neon-bright dye colors used on dogs by their owners look ridiculous, but in this case a rainbow painted Lulu sure could have been helpful.
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u/midatlantic6 20h ago
Happy dog was found and glad theyre home and safe. I’m curious how this rescue happened and really to be frank, what did it cost? And who paid for it?
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u/Escritortoise 20h ago
It looks like it was a volunteer effort. 20 people contributed to finding her, and two people flew their private helicopter and covered the fuel cost.
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u/Unlikely-Candle7086 19h ago
That’s sounds about right from what I know of Alaskan culture. Their love for their community is unmatched, the lower 48 could learn a few things.
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u/Holden3DStudio 19h ago
That's not unique to Alaska. I personally know a lot of Texans who would (and have) stepped up in similar ways. There are many, many more good Americans throughout the country than most people think. They just do their thing quietly, behind the scenes. They don't expect accolades, because that's not why they do it.
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u/Used_Gear8871 13h ago
This. Also in Alaska, it’s quite easy to own and operate a plane and helicopter, as long as you know how repair and maintain it. My ex’s 19 year old brother owned two, very cheap to buy off of people in the community. And a family friend keeps an old seaplane in his garage that still operates.
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u/Unlikely-Candle7086 18h ago
Have you ever been to Alaska? Because if you had, you know exactly what I am talking about.
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u/Holden3DStudio 18h ago
I'm not discounting, denying, or debating the good things said about Alaskans. The ones I've known over the years have all been good humans.
I'm simply responding to the false narrative that the lower 48 don't naturally have good people who step up like that all the time. I personally know many people in Texas who do.
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u/Few_Program_2303 17h ago
And what better way to use your private helicopter? Missing dog? Not on my watch! 🚁
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u/Ornery_Register_4012 15h ago
Sounds like it was really a community effort. Twenty people helped search for her, and two even flew their private helicopter and covered the fuel costs themselves.
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u/midatlantic6 20h ago
Replying to myself to clarify I really just want to know “who paid for the choopaaaah?”
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u/CryIntelligent3705 20h ago
Apparently an air tag helped!
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u/Future311 20h ago
How could an air tag help on a deserted mountain?
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u/CryIntelligent3705 19h ago
I read it was the last known coordinates before the 2 male owners were caught in the avalanche (what I read). So it’s where the search started?
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u/Illustrious_Sea_962 18h ago
same shit that recovers adrenaline junkies stuck or falling or broken. would rather it be for dogs
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u/bbyxmadi 20h ago
Her husky genes definitely helped
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u/DosaVadaFilterCoffee 16h ago
You can see her overall coat is husky but towards the feet it's all poodle. Poodle hair makes snow stick. That's probably why it is staying put and hesitating to move through snow, looking for trodden spots to step through etc. Husky mom/dad did good.
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u/firefaery 19h ago
So what happened to her hoomans?
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u/danielminds 19h ago
They survived. They were injured in the avalanche, but thankfully everyone is safe and reunited now.
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u/Zeppelin702 16h ago
I can’t believe how far down your comment is.
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u/Additional_Meeting_2 8h ago
It’s a bit sad that people don’t care of human avalanche victims as much. You can care about both’
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u/firefaery 16h ago
No worries, I'm not after karma, was geniunely concerned. Glad everyone is alive. Love a happy ending!
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u/Fabulous_Celery_1817 20h ago
Why bring a white dog in the snow with no identifying colors? 🥲 glad she was found
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u/RiggityRiggityReckt 20h ago
Aw Loulou ❤️! Time for some scritches, treats, and cuddles for the goodest girl!!
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u/Many-Wasabi9141 16h ago
Do you love your dog enough to pay for a helicopter to search and rescue him from a mountain in Alaska?
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u/Commercial_Tip4624 10h ago
It’s actually more about you making a commitment to the safety of a living creature you took into your home, and honoring that, knowing after its paws freeze to the ground it will die in the agony of thirst, alone and abandoned.
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u/Ashamed-Raccoon-1387 6h ago
This. My mom isn't a very nice person. I knew this when I chose to get pets. I knew I was taking on the responsibility of protecting my pets from my mother if necessary and I have done so. It doesn't matter what the threat is, it's the owner's responsibility to protect their animals.
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u/SMUHypeMachine 11h ago
Absolutely. I’d take out a multi-million dollar loan if I needed to.
There are exceedingly few things in this world that are more important to me than my dog.
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u/Juceman23 2h ago
I don’t think the owner actually paid anything as she was out of the country, she simply posted on all the Alaskan website/resources she could think of and people volunteered to use their helicopters to look for the puppy. From what I’ve heard most Alaskans are real ones and will really lookout for their neighbors!
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u/Ok_Commission_9203 8h ago
Sure, also enough to pick it up so it's feet aren't still on the ground.
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u/maryfisherman 6h ago
Yes! Although my husky would never forgive me - ILY Dad but I am obsessed with this snowy mountain
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u/thess750 18h ago
So happy she’s safe! I would have been a mess knowing my dog is out in Alaska alone on a mountain, after an avalanche! 😢
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u/KomatoesII 16h ago
What’s a Doodle doing up on a mountain ❓
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u/AlaskanMinnie 14h ago
She was hiking with her owner when a freak early season accident sent him and his hiking buddy down the mountain. A large search and rescue was sent back to the mountain looking for the dog - the folks in the video own a helicopter service and were doing this as volunteers
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u/maryfisherman 6h ago
The poor owners must have been just beside themselves. This is such a happy ending!
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u/cash8888 7h ago
Man, I hope that pup has insurance because that is going to be one hell of a rescue bill.
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u/sirtommybahama1 16h ago
At least put some kind of high visibility vest if you're going to bring your white fluffy dog there.
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u/AutomaticAnt6328 16h ago
"Hey, check out this view. No really. You need to come and sit right here."
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u/Gold-Dragonfruit1598 13h ago
Lou Lou: I shall wait for my hoomans to come save me from this barren tundra.
Random hooman: Lou Lou!!
Lou Lou: how do you know that name!?
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u/Mastery-Victory-0420 20h ago
Whoever brought that dog there with them is an idiot
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u/Mini_Gloves 18h ago
I think the owner got caught in an avalanche. He and his buddy got lifted out.
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u/Holden3DStudio 19h ago
People go hiking with their dogs all the time - there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. And a husky mix is especially well-suited to go out for a snowy expedition.
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u/Malibucat48 18h ago edited 18h ago
This dog looks all doodle. Don’t see much husky there. But I loved her bark when she heard her name. “Finally! What took you so long?”
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u/fastidiousavocado 17h ago
I wonder what kind of Husky, because I could see her being mixed with Alaskan Husky easily.
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u/Public_Agency400 18h ago
There is something wrong with endangering your pet. That isn’t a nice green park. There is no reason for a dog to be up there
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u/rainman_95 16h ago
Believe me, a husky would rather be on a white mountain than a green park.
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u/Idlikethatneat 16h ago
I’d hate to live your dogs life.
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u/Public_Agency400 16h ago
Of not getting stuck on a mountain for 48 hrs? Wild take
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u/Idlikethatneat 16h ago
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”
Dogs deserve to experience adventures just as much as their human counterparts. No one, man or beast, wants to get caught in a slide, but there is no thrill in living a life of ignoble ease.
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u/Public_Agency400 16h ago
…you can have a fulfilling life without climbing mountains in Alaska. Calm down
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u/Idlikethatneat 15h ago
Not if you live in the mountains in Alaska…as this dog does.
You’re judging people who are just living life with their dogs by their side using the context of your sedentary existence in the lower 48.
The road I live on was cut off from the rest of Anchorage for 2 weeks in ‘22 by an avalanche. Should I not let my dog play in the yard either?
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u/Public_Agency400 15h ago
I’m not the above commenter with 33 upvotes and an award saying the dog’s guardians are “idiots”.
I’m saying there is no need to hike an Alaskan mountain with your dog. A mountain is not the same as your yard1
u/Idlikethatneat 15h ago
For many of us, including me, it is. You’re exposing your ignorance.
Checking out- good night.
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u/ihavesomequestions98 13h ago
4 year old *dog LouLou...
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u/xultar 10h ago
Just like we call our romantic partners “baby” we call our dogs “puppy” our cats “kitty”.
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u/ihavesomequestions98 47m ago
The title of the post doesn't say "baby", "puppy", or "kitty", it says missing "4-year-old LouLou" with ZERO clarification it's a dog and not a human child until you watch the video. That's the issue.
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u/SoCalStuddd 11h ago
Best 2 days of his life Huskydoodling around lol and then saved in the perfect time
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u/tapittoohoo 8h ago
Omg this made me burst out in tears lol I love my pets and would absolutely be searching for them
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u/blackspike2017 18h ago
This is not a miracle. This is a dog that has evolved to survive in this environment surviving in this environment.
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u/Sonoran_Ghosts_81 17h ago
Over here thinking who the fuck would name their kid Lou Lou. It’s a fucking dog. Lmao.
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u/Status-Principle-581 14h ago
sounds like how my cat meows when I come home from walking to the minute mart
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u/stairsskis 11h ago
Missing after an avalanche or just missing? No signs of an avalanche in that video.
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u/DistractedByCookies 10h ago
If I was that dog I wouldn't trust snow any more either LOL Poor thing
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u/uuuzz 20h ago
Get that snow off of her paws, she must be freezing. Or keep recording I guess, that takes priority.
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u/RosenButtons 20h ago
She's gotta hike back with them. How would they do that without getting snow on her paws?
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u/aBrickNotInTheWall 20h ago
They could've carried the dog after removing the snow
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u/baby_llamadrama 19h ago edited 19h ago
I’d love to agree but I would bet it’s a real pain to carry a large dog in deep snow, and not everyone may have dog carrying equipment to distribute weight properly. Easier to have them walk with you, especially if they are mobile. If they were immobile, obviously we’d see a completely different rescue…
ETA: both my dogs are over 80 lbs and as much as I’d love to carry them out of terrible situations, I just can’t do it, not for long distances at all. Only like up and down situations.
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u/s24086 16h ago
The absolute indignity that that dog should have to walk their ass to the chopper that was likely contracted for tens of thousands of dollars per hour is astounding. Fuck those performative white savoir motherfuckers for putting their dog in that situation in the first fucking place.
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u/KellyCTargaryen 13h ago
Why is a new source calling it a huskydoodle ffs. Just say is their beloved pet, otherwise this feels like an advertisement for the “breed”.
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u/Key-Farmer-2002 19h ago
*hits blunt....y'all chartered a chopper to go look for the dog? Or y'all own one? Damn what ch"all do for living?!
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