What started as a normal Sunday quickly turned into panic for Brian Spies when his ten-month-old German Shepherd, Luna, didn’t return home.
That morning, Luna had been enjoying herself outdoors in Lotus, California, just like any other day. But when she didn’t come back, Spies worried something was wrong.
Afraid she might be hurt or in danger, he called friends to help search for her right away.
Where Is Luna?
The group drove through the area and combed the nearby forest, calling for Luna as they went. Despite their efforts, there was no sign of her.
Spies couldn’t stop worrying about his playful pup. With predators common in the area, his fears grew worse.
“We have bears, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes … Yeah, we’ve kind of got them all. So we didn’t know if a mountain lion snagged her,” he told KCRA 3.
They searched until nightfall, but Luna was still missing.
An Unlikely Sight
The following day, Spies’ friend Luka Bogdanovich happened to be driving nearby. As he passed a wooded area, something unusual caught his eye: a furry figure perched on a slanted tree branch, about 25 feet in the air.
Looking closer, he realized it was Luna.
He immediately called Spies, who rushed to the spot with an extension ladder. Friends gathered to help, steadying the ladder and holding a sleeping bag below, just in case.
When Luna saw her rescuers, her tail started wagging with relief.
Finally Reunited
Spies climbed the ladder carefully until he reached his pup. Overcome with relief, he held her tightly.
“I kind of reached up, grabbed her, and bear-hugged her and walked down the ladder with no hands, as carefully as possible,” Spies said.
Once on solid ground, Luna showered her dad with love. Her worried expression gave way to joy as she cuddled into his arms, happy to be safe again.
Spies believes Luna chased a squirrel up the tree and became stranded after it escaped.
Though she was tired at first, after a couple of days she bounced back, full of energy and playfulness.
Spies marveled at his pup’s athletic climb but hoped she learned her lesson and wouldn’t try it again.
What mattered most was the reunion. Luna was back where she belonged, in the arms of the person who loved her most.