Furry Tails: On Top Of The World
For me, this time of year is all about love, hope, giving back and giving thanks. So, when a friend found Rupee's story and suggested I dedicate a Furry Tails' post to him, I naturally thought it was a great idea.
Have you heard about this lovable, world-traveling dog? Well, if you haven't, he's only just the first dog to climb Mount Everest! Journeying for more than a week with his owner on the grand adventure.
Rupee, an adorable tan pup with brown eyes and lots of black whiskers, according to the Daily Mail Online, "is believed to be the first dog officially recorded at Mount Everest base camp."
Now, taking on Mount Everest is quite an accomplishment for anyone, or well, any dog in this case! Not too many get the chance at such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And for Rupee, it's a huge feat considering his rough start in life.
He's the ultimate rescue story. Born in the Himalayas, Rupee is said to have been close to death when his owner, Joanne Lefson, scooped him up from a dump in India and nursed him back to health.
Now, they're companion adventurers.
He is her second furry adventurer. According to the Daily Mail, before Rupee, Lefson traveled the world with her beloved dog, Oscar. Together they worked to "promote efforts to find homes for stray dogs."
However, Oscar tragically died earlier this year before being able to take the Mount Everest adventure.
Then, like a ray of hope, Lefson found Rupee and brought the 8-month-old pup back from the brink. She's quoted in The Daily Mail as saying, "The little fellow had heart, I could tell that, but he was very weak from having no food and water for days, perhaps weeks."
Once healthy, there were a lot of concerns for Lefson in taking her dog with her to climb Mount Everest. According to the Daily Mail, altitude sickness was one and she even hired a porter in case Rupee needed to be carried at any point along the way.
But they made it! And Rupee's favorite part, reports the Daily Mail, the snow!
Who doesn't get joy from watching their dog play in the snow – whether it's here on a winter day in Pittsburgh or on a great adventure on the other side of the world? It's just pure joy watching them stick their nose in it and rolling around, coating their fur in white!
So, from near death in the dump to playing in snow on top of the world! Rupee's is the kind of story that gives me hope and one that makes me want to squeeze my dog a little tighter.
Give them love and pets will follow you just about anywhere! That's true friendship. And I feel blessed to know that kind of love.
You see, for me, it is Rupee's long journey that is the real inspiration. He's now a dog with a cause; a true poster child raising awareness about stray dogs around the world.
As far as I'm concerned, they all deserve a loving home.
And finally, Rupee's story is one that reminds me to be thankful for all that I have, to live life bravely and passionately, to give lots of love, and most of all, to live every day with hope.
Enjoy life on top of the world Rupee! You're certainly one top dog!
See photos of Rupee's Mount Everest adventure here!
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