Before December 31, 2024, our Posavac dogs, Happi and Kodi, had never tracked a missing dog. But as natural-born hunters, their noses were always on point. Adopted from Montenegro, they came with a wild past—once part of a hunter’s pack, later left to fend for themselves as strays. Even in our cozy home, their sharp instincts for following scents never faded. The Posavac Hound, a breed famous for navigating Croatia’s dense forests, had gifted them with these remarkable skills. Little did we know, those talents would take center stage on New Year’s Eve 2024.
Dog Newton, photo courtesy: Newton’s family
It all started when Sara, my partner, spotted an online post about a missing 18-month dog named Newton. He’d been lost for three days, and his family was desperate. Newton’s owner, Arianna, mentioned that even professional search dogs had come up empty. Sara, a multimedia artist with a knack for unconventional ideas, had been experimenting daily with our Posavac duo – not just on their tracking skills, but on activating all their senses. From art interventions to quirky sensory games, her creative methods had become a running joke in our household. Still, when she saw the post, she thought: why not give it a shot? We decided to act.
By noon, we were out the door, racing against the clock. New Year’s fireworks were only hours away – a nightmare for any dog – and daylight was fading fast. When we arrived at Newton’s home, his family gave us his tennis ball, a bed that carried his scent and a bag with his hair. Arianna also walked us to the olive groves of Cologna, the last place Newton had been seen. Happi caught a trail almost immediately, her nose to the ground and tail wagging with purpose. Kodi followed close behind.
The dogs led us up a steep hill until we reached a cliff. Suddenly, Happi pulled hard, baying loudly. Then, from above, we heard a low, single bark. Our hearts leapt. It was Newton! Sara quickly called Arianna, Newton’s owner, who rushed back in tears.
Within moments, Happi began guiding Sara up the cliff toward the frightened pup. The terrain was treacherous: loose stones tumbled with every step, and spiked bushes clawed at Sara’s clothes and skin. With a backpack weighing her down, each movement felt like a battle against gravity. Happi, undeterred by the harsh conditions, pressed forward with her leash taut. Her powerful nose remained locked on the scent trail, her determination evident in every step.
Happi and Kodi
As they climbed higher, the path narrowed, the cliff’s edge looming dangerously close. Dry leaves blanketed the ground, making footing uncertain. Then, it happened—Happi lost her grip on the slippery slope. With a yelp, she slid down several feet, her leash pulling taut in Sara’s hand. Sara froze, her heart pounding as she clung to a low-hanging branch for balance. She looked down to see Happi scrambling to find footing but slipping further with each frantic movement.
Sara faced a difficult decision. If she went back for Happi, she risked losing precious time and Newton’s trail. Yet the thought of leaving her loyal companion was unbearable. Taking a deep breath, she crouched low, speaking to Happi in soothing tones. “Stay there, Happi. I’ll come back for you. I promise.” She unclipped the leash, allowing Happi the freedom to navigate safely back down the slope.
The final stretch was gruelling. The spiked bushes thickened, snagging her clothes and scratching her arms. She slipped once, her hands clutching desperately at roots jutting out of the rocky face. Her breaths came in short, sharp bursts, her legs burning with the effort. But she pressed on, driven by the faint sound of Newton’s bark above her.
After what felt like an eternity, Sara found herself over the edge of the cliff. Her palms were raw, her knees scraped, but she had made it. There, huddled in the shadows of a cluster of rocks, was Newton. His fur was matted, and he trembled with fear, his wide eyes darting between Sara and the abyss below.
“Newton,” Sara whispered, her voice hoarse but gentle. She knelt, extending a hand to the terrified dog. Newton was safely in her arms. Relief washed over all of us.
As Newton settled against her, Sara took a moment to catch her breath. The blue hour was approaching, painting the sky in shades of dusk. In the distance, she heard Happi’s bark echo through the wilderness.
The rescue wasn’t over yet. Happi, drawn by the scent of wild animals, had dashed into the Dolomites’ dense forests, ignoring our frantic calls. For the next three hours, we stumbled through bushes and over loose rocks, searching for her. The first bursts of fireworks lit up the sky at 5 p.m., adding urgency to our efforts.
Happi with a “war wound”
Arianna, Newton’s owner, played a crucial role in the search, following Happi’s distant baying through the narrow trails. Kodi tried to join the chase, tugging at his leash for a two-dog adventure. The evening grew darker and colder, our fingers numb from the chill. Even Carla, Arianna’s elderly neighbour, joined in, running around and calling for Happi with contaminating energy.
Just as we were about to give up, Arianna called out over the phone, her voice filled with relief: “Come quickly, I’ve found her! She’s injured.” Exhausted from hours of climbing, Sara still managed to make her way down to Val di Gola, a steep, dark valley shrouded in humidity.
About 300 meters down, Sara found Arianna cradling Happi in her jacket like a makeshift hospital bed. Happi’s hunting spell had finally broken. She lay exhausted but calm, her proud demeanour softened as though asking for a comforting pat. A closer look revealed her “war wound”—a missing claw and a 3-centimeter cut on her leg. It wasn’t too serious, but she couldn’t walk.
Arianna and Sara on the Ape, with our heroine Happi
Arianna came up with a clever solution, fashioning her jacket into a transportable bed. Together, she and Sara carefully carried Happi down the mountain. It was a slow, challenging journey, but Happi remained quiet, her trust in them evident.
Carla, Arianna’s neighbor (who helped us for hours to find Happi), and I
A bit further down the mountain path, Arianna’s husband arrived in his tiny “Ape” car to pick us up. Riding in the quirky little vehicle had always been a dream of mine, though I never imagined it would happen under such circumstances. As the first light of dawn illuminated Lake Garda, the surreal ride felt like the perfect end to an unforgettable last day of 2024.
Newton was safe, and Happi—despite her limp and bandaged paw—was a hero. Kodi greeted us eagerly, relieved to see Happi alive and well. Back at Arianna’s home, Carla played nurse, disinfecting Happi’s wound and wrapping it neatly. The exhaustion and frustration melted away, replaced by gratitude and laughter.
Our friend Sandra, who participated in the search for Happi, and the wounded Happi on the kitchen table at Arianna’s.
Not every search ends so well. The work demands patience, trust, and endurance. But this adventure reminded us that a dog’s instincts, combined with a little freedom to think and adapt, can lead to incredible outcomes.
For us, December 31, 2024, wasn’t just the end of a year. It was a celebration of the bond between humans and their dogs. And for one family, it brought the ultimate New Year’s gift: Newton, safe and sound.
READ the news report in Italian about this adventure on ILDOLOMITI.IT
