He broke his leg, fractured both ankles, and cracked his ribs… yet somehow found the strength to crawl off a mountain with only his dog to guide the way.
Jacob Schmitt has spent his whole life hunting with his loyal dog Buddy at his side. But on a recent trip to Utah’s Uinta Mountains, everything went terribly wrong. CNN reported that Jacob was riding in a side by side on a narrow trail when it rolled off a cliff, flipping more than a dozen times. He was thrown from the vehicle, left with devastating injuries, and his phone and radio were gone. He was stranded.
Except he was not truly alone.
Buddy had been riding in the back. When Jacob opened his eyes, there was Buddy. Safe. Unharmed. Refusing to leave his side.
As darkness fell and hope seemed slim, Jacob made a splint for his leg and began crawling. Hour after hour through the night, for eleven long hours, he kept moving. The only light came from Buddy’s glowing collar, leading the way. Jacob later said it was Buddy’s quiet, faithful presence that kept him alive. “The thing that loves you unconditionally is just there. It’s the biggest spirit jump.”
By sunrise, Jacob reached his truck and drove to a nearby diner where someone called 911. He spent several days in the hospital while first responders made sure Buddy was cared for too.
Now they are both home. Safe. Healing. And Jacob says he cannot wait to get back out there, with Buddy still right beside him.
Credit to the original source.