“Puppy” was found on June 20th in the bottom of an AZ slot canyon, very near death. Zak Anderegg is the man who found him nearly 350 feet beneath the rim of the canyon. Puppy was “found shivering in a deep pothole in the rock.” Puppy was on the verge of starvation and suffering from canine distemper.
Zak tried to seek help to retrieve the dog but was turned away. He drove to a nearby town to report the incident and rally a rescue team but Zak “quickly found out that “To Protect, and Serve” doesn’t extend to dogs left to die in the bowels of a canyon”.
“They told me flat out, ‘We’re certainly not going to send out the fire department or the sheriff’s department to help you.’
So Zak did what I would do. Save the dog myself. And that is what Zak did. The following day Zak saved this dog’s life and took him to Paige Animal Hospital to get treated. Today, Puppy is recovering and thriving in Salt Lake City, Utah with Zak and his wife, Michelle. Puppy follows Michelle around so much that his new nickname is Shadow. I know that name quite well since I gave my one dog the same name for the same reason.
Two important questions- Who placed Puppy in this canyon? Puppy didn’t fall off the rim. He was purposely placed there to die. How could anyone be so cruel? Who? Why? When??
And how could a fire or sheriff’s department not want to help to save this dog or at the very least, direct him to someone who could help save Puppy?
Puppy has his own facebook page. On this page you will find other photos of Puppy when he was first found up until his latest photos which were taken on July 10th. What an amazing transformation! You will also find videos of Puppy including one when Puppy was first discovered in the pothole in the canyon. You CANNOT believe that someone could possibly put this sweet dog in there to die. I urge you to check it out.
It has been reported that Zak and Michelle are looking for a home for Puppy since they already have too many animals. There have been offers to take Puppy but I’m not sure what is happening with this part of the story. My wish is that Zak and Michelle keep Puppy. You know Puppy has to look to Zak as his lifesaver. Without him, Puppy would be dead.
Zak and Puppy aka Shadow today!