A 6-year-old Bernese-black lab mix dog named Pepper was found after a 10-day search in Blue River that began in late February. 

According to a social media post by Summit Lost Pet Rescue, Inc. Pepper was reported missing from her home on the morning of Feb. 22. The organization aided the family in its search, which included setting up cameras, making social media posts, hanging signs and handing out flyers and providing boots on the ground.

Pet Rescue volunteers and Pepper’s family snowshoed in areas near the home with the suspicion that the dog may have become stuck in the snow. On the 10th day of their search, a volunteer and his dog went down to the creek to look more. They eventually found Pepper stuck in a small area of the creek surrounded by steep snowbanks. She was taking shelter under a fallen tree.

Pepper’s owner was then contacted, and he and his son arrived to help. It took three people to free Pepper who was ultimately safe. She was stuck just over 700 feet from the house. 

The social media post goes on to say that Pepper was checked by a vet and is “doing well.”