Dog is Found and Rescued After Running Away From California Airbnb

A dog is found and rescued after running away from her Airbnb in California. If you're an animal lover like I am, currently navigating life with eight cats because family is visiting, eighteen chickens who act like they own the yard, and one very sweet dog, this story will make you misty-eyed in the best possible way.

Sadie, a black Labrador retriever-mix, found herself in trouble that would shake even the bravest pet parent. While her owners, Alexis Barcellos and Brandon Valdez, were watching a football game, Sadie slipped away. She bolted from her home and found herself lost. Thankfully, she had an Airtag on her collar so that they could track her movement down the San Diego coastline.

The Dog Escaped the Airbnb

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But land tracking couldn’t prepare them for what was happening at sea. She somehow got swept out into the sea! Surfers spotted a dog in distress, swept into a rip current near a jetty. Lifeguards were alerted immediately, and soon a U.S. Coast Guard boat joined the search. Lifeguards Garrett Smerdon and Jack Alldredge launched on personal watercraft, combing the surf for Sadie.

More than an hour passed.

“At that point, I kind of just said, ‘Please let us find this dog,’” Jack shared. And if you’re a fellow pet parent, you know that prayer.

They Believed She Was Still Alive

Garrett mentioned he believed Sadie could still be alive because Labs are fighters, strong swimmers, built for water. As time ran out, the search was nearly called off. Then something bobbed in the distance.

“We got closer and closer, and then we realized it was her and we were pretty excited,” Jack said.

Pretty excited? They probably wanted to howl at the moon.

The Dog Was Rescued Near the Beach

Sadie was about a half-mile offshore near South Mission Beach. Cold, exhausted, paws torn from trying to climb rocks—but alive. “She was super happy to see us, for sure,” Garrett said. “She was tired.”

They carefully loaded her into a boat, returned to shore, and reunited her with Alexis and Brandon.

Alexis remembers the moment the rescue was confirmed. “We kind of just held our breath,” she said. “And they were like, and the dog is alive. And we kind of just started crying right away.”

Her Family Was So Grateful

Her paws were shredded, her nails broken. The family carried her everywhere for days. This week, though, paws healed, tail high, Sadie took her first 1.5-mile walk. She even made a celebratory trip to the pet store.

“We are just beyond grateful she is home safe with us,” Alexis said.

And I can’t help but praise God for giving us these furry companions who steal socks, snuggle into blankets, and somehow turn strangers into rescue teams united in compassion.

Psalm 36:6 says, “You preserve both people and animals.”

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And He really does. From the cats sprawled across my furniture, to the chickens pecking in the yard for snacks, to one sweet dog asleep at my feet—God made creatures who remind us of loyalty, comfort, joy, and unconditional love.

And sometimes…He even parts waves just to bring one of them safely home.

Psalms 36:6 “Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.”

WATCH: Dog is Found and Rescued After Running Away From a California Airbnb

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h/t: My Northwest

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/News 19 WLTX

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.