As the old saying goes, dogs are man’s best friend. However, this pup takes the cake. His extraordinary actions in today’s story take that bond to a whole new level. A 62-year-old man named Brandon Garrett was traveling with his four dogs to a campsite when disaster struck. While driving on a forest service road in Baker County, Oregon, about four miles from their destination, Brandon lost control of his truck, sending it crashing into a ravine. The accident was severe, but one of his dogs, Blue, despite being injured, managed to escape the wreckage.
Blue then embarked on a four-mile trek to find help. Having been to the campsite with Brandon before, Blue remembered the location and knew that people were around to help his owner at the site. The journey was far from easy. Blue had glass lodged in his snout, making the trek painful and difficult. Yet, his unwavering love and loyalty to Brandon pushed him forward.
When Blue finally arrived at the campsite, the people there, including Brandon’s friend, immediately sensed that something was wrong. The fact that Blue showed up alone, coupled with his injuries, confirmed their worst fears. Acting quickly, Brandon’s friend contacted other friends and family members, and together, they began a search that lasted all night. It wasn’t until morning that they finally located the wrecked truck.
When Brandon’s brother, Tyree Garrett, saw the accident for himself, he feared the worst. He believed his brother might not have survived. However, the search party remained hopeful and called for professional help due to the challenging terrain surrounding the crash site. Soon, assistance arrived from several agencies, including the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Baker County Search and Rescue, Halfway Ambulance, and Pine Valley Rural Fire District.
Sheriff Travis Ash was among the first to take action, accompanied by a search dog. As he scouted for a way down to the creek, he suddenly heard a faint voice. It was Brandon Garrett, calling out for help—he was alive! Brandon had spent the entire night lying about 100 yards from the wreckage, enduring freezing temperatures and pouring rain.
Once located, Sheriff Ash provided first-aid while volunteers from Pine Valley Rural Fire and U.S. Forest Service workers used chainsaws to clear a path for the rescue team. “Members of the Baker County Search and Rescue Ropes Team set up their rescue equipment and began the difficult task of reaching Garrett,” the Baker County Sheriff’s Office shared in a Facebook post. “Once the team was able to reach him, they loaded and secured him in a rescue basket.”
Brandon was then taken to Search and Rescue personnel and medical staff before being airlifted by Life Flight helicopter to a regional hospital. The Baker County Sheriff’s Office was thrilled with the successful outcome of this complex rescue mission. They also confirmed that the three other dogs were found at the crash site and are now safe.
Thank you, Blue, for being an exceptional pup and a very good boy! Aren’t dogs the best?!