It’s always good to have a dog by your side: they have amazing instincts and you never know when they will come in handy and save the day.

That’s what one hiker learned after being lost high up in the mountains, when he decided to trust a smart stray dog to lead him to safety.

In 2022, an English hiker known as “El Güero Inglés” (“the blond Englishman”), was hiking the famous Santa Cruz Trek in Huaraz, Peru. While the trail is known for its scenic views, it can also be a challenge, with steep ascents and snowy and foggy weather conditions.

His adventure hit a snag when, on day 2, he became separated from the rest of his group and had to hike up alone, unsure of which way to go. But just as all hope seemed lost, an unexpected companion emerged from the fog: a stray dog.

The dog was friendly and seemed to be familiar with the paths — and the hiker decided to follow his lead. “I decided to trust his knowledge of the mountain,” El Güero Inglés told the Italian news outlet La Stampa.

The stray dog led the way, walking briskly but never leaving the hiker behind. They continued on, until the hiker noticed a sign for the Punta Unión pass, the destination he had been looking for. The smart dog had led him straight to it!

El Güero Inglés said that the dog remained with him at the summit, where he regrouped with the others in his tour. The stray dog stuck around, seemingly enjoying the scenic views as much as the humans.

The dog followed the group to their next site, where they were surprised to find another dog. The two dogs stuck with the hikers as they continued on their journey — then, on their last night, the two dogs disappeared. El Güero Inglés was sad he didn’t get to say goodbye to his trusty companion — but later, at the end of the trail, he saw the dog again outside a coffee shop.

Locals explained that the dogs live in the nearby villages and often follow tourists as they made their hike, acting sort of as furry guides. For El Güero Inglés, it was an unforgettable experience, and he was grateful for the dog for helping him out when he needed some guidance.

“I decided to follow him and he saved me,” he told La Stampa.

What a special experience that must’ve been — dogs are such smart animals and we’re so glad this smart stray was there to guide him to safety!

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Source: The Wall Street Journal