Linda Newman, an experienced dog musher from Hovland, Minnesota, faced a heart-stopping ordeal when her sled dog, Zhing, vanished during a trip. The incident occurred in mid-April 2024, when Linda traveled to Ely, 200 kilometers from home, with six of her sled dogs. Upon arrival, Zhing, a rare Hedlund Husky, slipped out of his collar and bolted into the wilderness.
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“I was horrified, absolutely horrified,” Linda shared, reflecting on how she could possibly find her dog in such a densely wooded and unfamiliar area. Zhing’s breed, a unique offshoot of the Alaskan Husky, is known for its resilience and independence—traits that both helped him survive and complicated his rescue.
A Community Comes Together
Determined to bring Zhing back, Linda drove tirelessly through the area, calling out his name. When that failed, she printed flyers and posted a missing dog notice on a local Facebook group. The response was overwhelming, with nearly 2,000 reactions and hundreds of shares.
Residents of Ely rallied to assist her. Holly Waugh, one of the locals, offered the use of her cameras to track Zhing’s movements. “It’s just the human thing to do—to help when someone’s in need,” Holly said.
Linda also received support from Retrievers, an organization specializing in finding lost pets. Their expert, Jennifer Cadigan, explained why Zhing was so elusive: “Dogs in survival mode are terrified and see everyone as a predator. They act as though the world is hunting them.”
A Breakthrough After Five Days
Just as Linda was on the verge of giving up and returning home, a resident named Denis Balbach spotted Zhing near her driveway. She immediately called Linda and tried to lure the dog with beef stew.
When Linda arrived, however, she faced a heartbreaking realization: Zhing didn’t recognize her. The five days he had spent fending for himself in the wild had completely disoriented him. Linda knew she needed a new approach.
A Brilliant Plan
Understanding the importance of familiar scents, Linda came up with a clever idea: bring in Siri, the alpha dog of her sled team. “I thought we’d have a better chance if we used her scent,” she explained. Siri, one of the six dogs who had accompanied Linda on the trip, was not only the leader of the pack but also Zhing’s close companion.
The plan worked. As soon as Siri approached, Zhing responded, cautiously moving toward her. With patience and care, Linda was finally able to secure him.
A Safe Return Home
Zhing’s rescue marked the end of a nerve-wracking ordeal. He returned home with Linda and the rest of the sled team, unharmed but clearly shaken by his adventure.
This story is a testament to the bond between dogs and their pack—and the lengths a caring owner will go to ensure their safety. For Linda, it was a hard-fought victory made possible by community support, quick thinking, and the unbreakable connection between her dogs.
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