Casually Kristen

SUMMIT COUNTY, Colorado – Sometimes, ya just gotta know when to quit… and Hank is all of us when hiking a fourteener.

Hank is a mutt-mix who went with his human to hike Quandary on Monday. The summit of Quandary is at 14,265 feet, ranking as the 13^th highest peak in the state. Not an easy climb!

Hank had hiked fourteeners before, but he met his match when attempting to climb this peak. He got too tired to make it down the mountain, so the Summit County Rescue Group stepped in to save the day!

Not all rescue groups use resources to save pets, so the community is pouring in the “thank you’s” on their Facebook page.

The group responded, “At various times in our history we have had a ‘no dog rescue’ policy too. But we love dogs, and we know there will always be some members who will choose to respond on their own even if we can’t respond officially. We also know that if we don’t rescue a dog we may end up needing to rescue the dog’s owner.”

They also provided some helpful tips to keep your pup safe when hiking (don’t worry—not all of these are applicable to Hank!)

• Know what your dog is capable of; work them up slowly to longer hikes. 
• Carry plenty of water and snacks for them. 
• Paw pads can get torn up on the rocks, so check them frequently and consider carrying tape for emergencies.
• Pay attention to signs of overheating and exhaustion. Remember, dogs can’t sweat. Putting cold water on a dog’s stomach can help cool them down.

Hank is now back home, and very grateful to these rescuers. Thank you for all you do, Summit County Rescue Group!