A recent visitor to Talking Rock lost her beloved puppy during her stay here. Many Talking Rock members who did not even know her came to the rescue to help her search. Thankfully, Baloo, a beautiful Golden Retriever, was found. Here's the "thank you" note from Deb Rood (pictured below with Baloo).

Against all odds Baloo, my 5 1/2 month old English Golden Retriever, MY BABY, is home!!! I am so grateful to all the residents of Talking Rock. This was my first time to Talking Rock and my first time ever in this part of the country. Tom and Vick generously shared their home with me for a much needed mini-retreat to refocus before I started another year of teaching. But my mini-retreat quickly turned into a desperate search for my beloved friend. A search in an area I knew nothing about and where I knew no one. How quickly 32 hours changed both of those. I had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people. I don't know all the names of those I spoke to or who spent time, some many hours, joining me in my desperate search. But I am incredibly grateful to each and every one of you! You encouraged me, offered advice, took me off-roading, showed me where Nancy Road was, loaned me binoculars, put gas in my car, called with a lead, climbed the rockiest mountain in the dark, and hoped for the very best with me. My life is much richer for having been surrounded by such genuinely caring people in my time of need.

After nearly 32 hours of missing and searching for my baby, I got a call Wednesday evening about 8:15 from someone on top of the mountain who could hear a dog barking and yelping at the top of the rockiest peak in the area. I was desperately trying to follow his information. They had tried to reach him but they were without flashlights and it was too dark. He patiently explained to me over and over until I finally understood where he was talking about. He gave me directions that would get me as close as possible by car before we headed out on foot. With my gas tank on E and a son who arrived to help, we headed out. We took Nancy Road to a private road and drove as close as we could to the rocky peak. My son rolled down the window and hollered "BALOO". A voice called back, "What's her name?" At that point my son jumped out of the car with 2 small flashlights in one hand and a golf club in the other (his weapon....=) and scaled that rocky mountain like spider man. For someone who is scared of heights, he was amazing. Then the words my heart had longed to hear came, "WE GOT HIM!!!" The tears flowed. My heart and hands reached with all the gratefulness in my being to my God who protected and spared my Baloo against all odds. Our reunion was crazy. Baloo was wiggling and whimpering out of control with joy. Our celebration continued as I met the couple who had hiked in the dark, possibly a mile to rescue my boy. They understood my crazy love for my pup. Their joy was reflective of our joy. You couldn't wipe the smile off of any of our faces including Baloo's. We drove them to their home and they put gas in our car, gave us directions and left us bubbling over with joy.

Back home today, our family continues to marvel at all the events of those 32 hours. I went to Talking Rock to refuel and refocus. I left having accomplished both in ways I couldn't begin to fathom.

Thank-you ALL!!
Deb Rood