The tiny LED on Buddy’s collar was the only source of light in the pitch-black Utah wilderness.
One night last month, it was just enough to keep Jake Schmitt Buddy’s owner going. With a broken leg, damaged ankles, and broken ribs, he dragged himself over rugged terrain and dry stream beds.
I initially feared that I may simply pass away. The 34-year-old hunter and guide told PEOPLE, “I thought I would keep going until my body gave out.”
The anguish was nearly too much for Schmitt to endure as he crawled onward.
On July 20, Schmitt’s Polaris Ranger, a utility task vehicle (UTV), fell down a cliff when he was scouting mule deer in Utah’s Uinta Mountains for the next hunting season.
He clarified that when he struck an area of unstable ground, he had stopped his UTV to back up. Buddy was in the rear seat when he was flung through the windshield, and the car fell down the steep hill.
He claimed that his right ankle felt dislocated and shattered, and his left ankle appeared torn when he regained consciousness. Schmitt had to endure a protracted, excruciating crawl that would put his body and intellect to the test.
Luckily, he had assistance.
After using pieces of the damaged UTV to make a splint, he recognized the face.
Schmitt remarked, “My dog suddenly appears out of nowhere without any scratches on him.” I have no idea how he managed to escape. It was incredible. Like it was any other day, he simply wagged his tail beside me. He was completely unaware of what had transpired.
Buddy’s collar light served as Schmitt’s guide through the isolated mountainous terrain for the next eleven hours.
People are unaware of how insane this was. “Everything changed when my dog was there,” he remarked. It’s similar to having a pal at your side. I doubt I would have survived without him.
Schmitt had already been saved by Buddy. Two years ago, Buddy’s anxious barking alerted him to a bear behind him while he was welding in the backcountry.
Buddy’s barking was the only way I was aware of it. Ten or fifteen feet behind me was the bear. Buddy frightened it off. Schmitt claimed that the bear was surprised by his courage.
Buddy led him back to his pickup this time. Despite his injuries, Schmitt then drove 20 minutes to the closest town, where he discovered a waitress at the Oakley Diner beginning her early shift.
Schmitt chuckled. “I tried to be too nice so I wouldn’t scare her, but it probably seemed weird.” “Can I see the leg?” she inquired. I pulled the door open. It was splinted, bleeding, and swollen. “All right, I believe you,” she said.
The waitress assisted him and dialed 911 right away.
He received treatment at Park City Hospital for fractures to both legs and ankles as well as damaged ribs. Over $29,000 has been raised for medical expenses through HisGoFundMe.
According to Schmitt, his motivation was straightforward.
He said, “I felt compelled to get Buddy out.” I also wanted to see my loved ones and family once more.
Because Buddy was the biggest male in the litter, a hunting dog breeder client gave him to him initially.
Schmitt remarked, “I owe him a lot more treats.” Now we’re even closer. He understands me since he has witnessed me in every circumstance. We have a close relationship.
Schmitt has no intention of slowing down, although he is still recovering and will soon begin physical therapy.
“I’m definitely going back,” he declared.
