Rescue Mutts: Bohdi's Aspen Adventure

by Andrew Kole

  Shuttleworth couldn’t understand why or how, with all the technology at their disposal, they couldn’t pinpoint the plane’s location. Manny and the controller tried to make him under- stand that it just didn’t work that way. A plane travels pretty fast and once it falls under a certain elevation, well, the radar can’t track it.

  “You need to get your Search and Rescue helicopters up in the air immediately!” Shuttleworth said, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. Not being in control was new to Cole Shuttleworth, and he didn’t like it one bit.

  “We will as soon as we can. But it’s dark now and we’ve got a series of big storms on track to hit the area for the next forty-eight hours. So, unless the weather changes, we can’t fly,” Manny said.

  “That’s unacceptable. Completely unacceptable. I want to speak to the person in charge,” said a frustrated Shuttleworth.

  “That would be me, Mr. Shuttleworth, and we are going to find your son and Taylor. You might like to know that Taylor grew up in these mountains. She’s smart. She knows her stuff. They’ll be okay.” What Manny didn’t say was, as long as they’re still alive. He didn’t have to. They all knew it was a possibility that it was already too late.

  “I’ll pay whatever it costs,” begged Shuttleworth.

  Manny shook his head sadly. “It’s not about the money, sir. I just can’t risk my people like that. I swear to you, when there’s any break in the weather, we will be up in the air immediately.” He then looked at Amos who had remained silent, in deep thought. “Amos... You know I’ll do everything I can to get her back, right?”

  Amos nodded tightly. “I know. Thanks, Manny.” Amos patted Manny on the shoulder, turned and headed toward the door. Indy trotted behind him.

  “Where are you going?” Shuttleworth called after him. Without losing a step, Amos said, “To find them.”

  

  Spencer, shivering in the cold night, boosted Taylor up onto the roof of the cockpit. She used a flashlight to help her creep along the slippery metal fuselage until she reached a blackened smudge where the antenna used to be. Darn. She’d hoped she could fix it. But there was no fixing this. The antenna was incinerated. Spencer called up to her, “Can it be fixed?”

  Taylor gracefully dropped down into the snow beside him. “It’s gone,” she reported matter-of-factly. Spencer’s face fell. “Let’s go back inside.”

  After they re-entered the plane, Spencer kicked the snow off his expensive loafers, while Taylor dug around in a locker, finding some emergency equipment like a Mylar space blanket and basic first aid kit.

  “Spencer, we’ve got to find some more clothes or we’re going to freeze to death.”

  Spencer opened a second small storage locker. A garment bag and a winter parka were hanging inside. Spencer held out the parka.

  “My father kept this in the plane in case it got cold.” “What’s in the garment bag?” Taylor asked.

  “Dad’s emergency clothes.” Spencer unzipped the garment bag. Inside there was expensive, and highly impractical, business attire.

  “Your father and I have really different definitions of the word emergency.”

  

  Cole Shuttleworth, dressed in designer jeans, brand new hiking boots, a sweater, and a water-resistant parka, pulled his Range Rover in front of Amos’ house and stopped. He got out, ran through the driving rain, up onto the farm house’s porch and knocked on the front door. No answer. He knocked harder. After a few seconds, Amos opened the door. Behind him, Shuttleworth could see camping gear spread out all over the living room. Amos was getting ready for an expedition.

  “What do you want?” Amos asked indifferently, not caring about the answer.

  “Are you really going up into the mountains to find them?” Shuttleworth asked.

  “Yep. If Manny can’t fly tomorrow morning, I’m going,” Amos said, as he shut the door. Shuttleworth’s foot prevented the door from closing.

  “What?” Amos asked, annoyed.

  “I’m coming with you, Hopton,” Shuttleworth said. “Not a chance,” Amos said firmly.

  “You will take me with you,” Shuttleworth said, determination filled his voice.

  “You’d only slow me down,” Amos said.

  “I’m twenty years younger than you!” Shuttleworth exclaimed. “Your point?” asked Amos. Sure, Amos was older, but he had spent his life in the mountains. He was tough. The cold, harsh terrain and high altitude wouldn’t bother him. But Shuttleworth?

  He had his doubts that the soft business man would make it. “My point is that... I can keep up,” Shuttleworth said.

  “Where I’m going is not a place for a guy like you,” Amos said. “I’ve negotiated with some of the toughest people in the world and come out on top,” Shuttleworth replied, as if that were the same thing.

  “The mountain doesn’t negotiate. It doesn’t care who you are or how much money you have. It’s harsh, and it can kill you,” Amos said without skipping a beat.

  “I’m going,” Shuttleworth said, refusing to give up.

  Amos recognized the determined look on Shuttleworth’s face. He knew if the situation were reversed, he wouldn’t let himself be left behind. Amos reluctantly gave in. “Fine. But you’re not going dressed like that,” Amos said with authority.

  “What’s wrong with my clothes? Shuttleworth asked.

  “Cotton will kill you in the mountains. It gets wet, you get hypothermia, you become a liability,” explained Amos.

  “No problem, Hopton. Tell me what to wear. Tell me what to do. Just help me find my boy.”

  Amos reluctantly nodded. They were in this together now, for better or worse.

  

  As darkness fell on the dogs in the back half of the plane, the air grew much colder. The dogs instinctively huddled together for warmth. Aldo’s bulk provided a solid base for a puppy pile. Piper curled up next to Winnie, while Duke snuggled into Sandor’s soft dreadlocks, making use of them as kind of a makeshift blanket. Lady Maya and Bohdi completed the dog snuggle, pressing into the other dogs’ warm fur.

  Only Major stayed separate. He curled up in a tight ball in his crate, shivering from the cold night air. Bohdi eyed the prideful dog. He wanted to point out the foolishness of Major’s choice, but he knew that would only drive the dog to dig in his heels even more. Bohdi hoped Major’s pride would thaw if he were in danger of freezing to death.

  ****

  Back in the cockpit of the plane, Spencer and Taylor awkwardly shared the little bit of floor space there was. Taylor was wrapped in the parka while Spencer wore all three of his father’s suits. He couldn’t move well, but at least he wouldn’t freeze. The teens lay back to back with the Mylar space blanket over top of them. Neither slept. Each was too wrapped up in their own fears and regrets, and their lingering thoughts of the loved ones left behind who now only wanted to hug them.

  Chapter 10

  The Journey Begins

  It was the middle of the night, and the rain had let up. Amos and Shuttleworth stood in front of Ute Mountaineer, Aspen’s top outdoor gear shop. Barbara Smith, the manager, opened up the darkened store and switched on the lights. The two men followed her in.

  “Thanks,” Amos said.

  “No problem, Amos,” Barbara said. “You can have whatever your need. Just get our Taylor back, okay?”

  “I really appreciate that, Barb... But, Mr. Moneybags here will pay.” Amos expected Shuttleworth to protest at the dig, but he kept his mouth shut.

  Amos made his way around the store, grabbing the top-of-the- line outdoor gear and clothes he needed, handing everything off to Shuttl
eworth who willingly carried the whole pile. When Amos finished, Barbara totaled everything up.

  Shuttleworth dropped his black American Express card on the counter, “Ring it up,” said Shuttleworth, without a single comment about the total.

  Amos was surprised he felt a grudging respect for Shuttleworth.

  Could it be there was more to this man than he thought?

  

  Dawn fought to break through the thick clouds hanging over Aspen. In the grey light Amos and Shuttleworth piled their new gear into Shuttleworth’s Range Rover.

  “Rain’s stopped. Maybe they can fly after all,” Shuttleworth said hopefully.

  Amos looked up at the dark clouds. “Not likely. This is just a lull. Storm’s going to kick up again real soon.”

  “You can tell from looking at some clouds?” Shuttleworth’s tone betrayed his disbelief.

  “No, I checked the radar.” Amos smiled, then pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and showed off the sophisticated weather app he had installed.

  Shuttleworth laughed. Amos really had caught him off guard with that one. He had assumed Amos was some sort of old moun- tain man who eschewed technology. “Well then, I guess it’s up to us.” Shuttleworth placed the last bag in the Range Rover car and slammed the tailgate.

  Amos looked at Indy who waited patiently for instructions, “You ready, Indy?”

  “You’re not taking that dog, are you?” Shuttleworth asked. “Yes. Indy’s coming with us,” Amos retorted.

  “He only has three legs...” Shuttleworth said cautiously, trying to make his case.

  “This dog has found more people lost in these mountains than all the ribbons your fancy Westminster dogs have won put together,” said Amos.

  “I’m sure he was a great dog, but... look at him,” Shuttleworth said, as he focused his eyes on Indy’s missing leg.

  “You want to find your boy?” Amos asked. “Of course,” Shuttleworth said.

  “Then we need Indy,” Amos said.

  “I don’t know, boss. What if he’s right? What if I can’t keep up? You need a real rescue dog – not a has-been like me,” Indy said, though all Amos heard was a series of worried whines.

  Amos crouched down in front of Indy. “I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. But I need you with me, Indy... I know you can find our girl.”

  Indy looked into Amos’ eyes and knew he had to try. Nothing would stop him from finding Taylor. Nothing. He licked Amos’ face, “You got it, boss.”

  “Good boy,” Amos said with a big smile. He then whipped open the back door of Shuttleworth’s Range Rover and Indy hopped onto the seat.

  “Hey!” Shuttleworth complained, “Seats are for people!”

  Amos gave him a look that clearly said now was not the time to mess with him. Shuttleworth quickly backed off. “And for rescue mutts...” Shuttleworth caught himself. “Sorry. I mean dogs.” Amos shut the rear door, securing Indy.

  “Get in, Shuttleworth. I’m driving,” Amos said and the two men climbed into the car.

  

  Spencer woke with the worst headache he’d ever had in his life. Even the first glints of the sun’s rays were too bright for him. He thought he might throw up at any moment.

  “I must have hit my head harder than I thought,” he moaned to Taylor.

  “You might have altitude sickness.”

  “I’ve skied Ajax mountain and never had a problem.”

  “I hear you, but this is different. Your body’s simply not getting enough oxygen, or enough water. It can be very dehydrating up this high in the mountains.”

  “Whatever it is, it’s awful,” Spencer said leaning pathetically against the cockpit wall.

  Taylor found aspirin in the plane’s first aid kit. She handed Spencer two pills and a bottle of water. “I want you to take these, drink some water and lay down for a few hours. Chances are good you’ll feel better.”

  “And if I don’t feel better?” Spencer asked.

  “Then you might have a concussion. Or…” Taylor trailed off. “Or what?” pressed Spencer.

  Taylor sighed. “Or you could have severe altitude sickness. Which means your brain could swell up. Which could lead to coma. And death.” Taylor could see on Spencer’s face this information wasn’t exactly reassuring. She hurriedly added, “But, you know, chances are good that once we get you hydrated you’ll be fine.

  Spencer couldn’t tell if she really thought he’d be fine, or if she was just trying to sound hopeful. But since panicking wasn’t going to help, he dutifully swallowed the aspirin and sucked down the bottle of water.

  “Do you think anyone will find us?” Spencer asked, a bit of fear in his voice.

  “My grandfather will,” Taylor said with confidence.

  

  Early morning light filtered into the cargo section of the plane where the dogs lay in their puppy pile. Bohdi woke up first, stretched, and blinked. He smiled when he spotted Major. The rigid dog had changed his attitude sometime in the middle of the night and came out of his crate to join the others. He slept deeply with his back pressed to Aldo’s warm bulk.

  But Bohdi’s good feelings quickly evaporated when he suddenly felt the plane wobble. He wrinkled his eyebrows in concern. The sound of rushing water echoed off the metal. Bohdi looked down. Water sloshed through the giant opening into the cargo bay.

  Bohdi wiggled out of the pile of sleeping dogs. He carefully picked his way toward the hole in the fuselage, his paws splashing

  through water as he crossed the last few feet to the opening. He looked out and realized the plane was not on land anymore. It was in the river and floating downstream!

  “Uh-oh... Everyone needs to get up, now!” Bohdi said in an even tone, not wanting to sound alarmed.

  “What’s going on?” Duke asked, not sure what was happening.

  Duke’s question woke Piper, who realized she was covered in drool. “Ewww!” she said to Aldo. “What have you done to me?”

  “Sorry,” Aldo said within a big yawn.

  “Sorry?... Sorry is not going to do it,” said Piper, more than a little bit annoyed.

  “What’s your problem? It’s just drool,” Aldo was unapologetic, which set Piper off.

  “My problem is you!” yelled Piper as she tried to wipe the drool off her body.

  “You need to relax,” Aldo said.

  “Relax? Relax? I’ve just about had it with your bad manners,” Piper said incensed.

  “Piper! Aldo! That’s enough.” Lady Maya said, staring at the fast-moving water. “We have bigger problems.”

  All the dogs were awake now. They quickly gathered close to the giant hole in the plane and stared in horror at their new circumstances. The plane was at least forty feet from shore. The river was high and running fast. And with every second, the water in the fuselage grew deeper.

  “I can’t swim! I can’t swim!” Piper declared as she raced back and forth, completely panicking, looking at the rushing water in front of her. Aldo was not the issue anymore.

  “You’re a dog. You can dog paddle,” Sandor said encouragingly.

  “Sandor... I’m from New York City. Where would I get to practice my swimming?” Piper asked rhetorically. “The East River is not exactly Miami Beach.”

  Winnie backed fearfully away from the opening. “Uh-oh. Who knows what horrible things are in that water?”

  More and more water sloshed into the fuselage. “News flash, you’re already in the water,” Duke proclaimed.

  “The current will sweep us all away!�
�� Piper wailed.

  “We can get out of this if we work together,” Lady Maya said, looking at Bohdi. “We can hold on to each other. Swim as a group. It’s our best chance to survive.”

  “You do what you want, but I’m taking care of me,” Major said. Then Major leapt out of the plane, and swam strongly toward shore.

  “He’s leaving us?!” Winnie wailed

  “What are we going to do?” yelled Sandor.

  Bohdi realized he had to calm everyone down if they had a chance of getting out of this alive. “Look, Major is doing just fine.” Bohdi was right. The cold water and swift current made the swim hard work for Major, but he was managing it, making steady progress toward shore. Seeing his head bob in the water did calm the dogs down.

  Duke spoke up, “I don’t think Piper and I can make that swim.” “I’ve got an idea but Piper’s dress has to go,” Bohdi said as he grabbed

  the dress in his teeth and pulled it off Piper.

  Bohdi then looked at Duke. “We need to get your vest off. It’s going to weigh you down when it gets wet,” Bohdi said, trying to think of everything that could go wrong.