Family Dog Found Safe After Avalanche in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A five-year-old Siberian poodle mix named Lulu has returned home safely following an avalanche incident that occurred near Eklutna Lake over the weekend. Lauren Padawer, Lulu’s owner, described how the dog was hiking with her partner and a friend when the avalanche struck.

Padawer learned of the avalanche while she was away celebrating her father’s birthday. She expressed her concern given the inclement weather and the limited number of people that might have been in the area when it happened. While two men caught in the avalanche were rescued with serious injuries, a worry remained for Lulu. Utilizing social media, Padawer sought help to locate her dog, which led to many volunteers and efforts to find her. Eventually, an Apple Airtag helped pinpoint Lulu’s rough location. After a tense waiting period, Padawer received a text with a picture of Lulu standing and watching rescuers, bringing her to tears. Although Lulu had some minor injuries, she was mostly healthy and reunited with her family. Padawer hopes that this incident serves as a reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the importance of taking precautions while hiking.