Tiny Pup, Big Hero Trailblazing Chihuahua Led Searchers to Lost Owner
When 85-year-old Barbara Crosby went missing in the California wilderness, no one expected her travel companion, her loyal dog Pancho, would become her savior. Spotted by residents in the area, the adventurous pup led rescuers straight to his owner, navigating a steep embankment that could have spelled disaster. The pair went missing on an early Saturday morning when Barbara, who has dementia, wandered away from her senior living home with the Chihuahua mix. Search and rescue teams immediately began to look for the at-risk adult but saw no sign of her throughout the day. As they were about to pack up for the night, multiple residents reported that they had spotted Pancho in the area.
Thanks to details from these glimpses of the would-be hero, rescue crews could pinpoint Pancho’s travel path, which led down a 70-foot steep embankment off the road. After hiking to the bottom, they found him hiding under some brush and followed him to where Barbara lay sleeping nearby. Due to the rugged terrain, the team had to utilize a litter and rope system to lift Barbara to safety and promptly take her to a nearby hospital. Though she was no longer in harm’s way, the crews couldn’t stop to celebrate too long. Pancho pulled a hound-ini act and ran off before rescuers could lift him out. Residents spotted the runaway dog the next day, just a short distance
away. Dehydrated and exhausted from the ordeal, Pancho was taken to a veterinarian for treatment and is back to his old self. The county sheriff’s office recognized Pancho’s life-saving act in a special thank-you online, stating that his “loyalty and presence near Barbara’s location helped lead us to her, truly the unsung hero of this rescue.” They also thanked the search and rescue crews and the community members who shared their Pancho sightings.
This Chihuahua’s keen instincts guided rescuers through tricky terrain, proving heroes come in all sizes. Thankfully, this duo’s adventure ended in tail wags and plenty of treats. Holiday Joy Without the Overwhelm Dementia-Friendly Celebrations Made Easy
While the holiday season can bring a lot of magic into our lives, it is a stressful time for someone with dementia and the one giving the care. Things might go along okay for awhile, then your loved one gets confused and says, “I want to go home,” even though you are at home. Or they have an outburst, which essentially means “I can’t handle this situation.” It may be time to rethink holiday traditions. You may want to call a family meeting and talk about what traditions to continue and ones to change. The caregiver needs help; they cannot do everything. This can require creativity if the caregiver is refusing help, but try to find a way to lessen their burden. Put the loved one with dementia and the caregiver first. This could mean taking the person with dementia
for a short walk outside or taking a nap. There are times when we need to withdraw and regroup. If you are the caregiver, this is the time to accept help. Take moments throughout the holidays whenever you can to refresh and reset. You can’t effectively care for your loved one if you aren’t caring for yourself.
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