– A miracle – VG
During the noise from the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, the dog Apo set off. It has engaged an entire community in Geilo. After two weeks of diligent searching from over a hundred mixed, the dog recovered.
– It is a huge miracle, exclaims food mother Matilde Rosendal on the phone from her home in Denmark.
Saturday afternoon, the dog Apo was found after being missing for two weeks.
It happened after a large-scale search operation, in which over a hundred private individuals participated, Rosendal states
Visitors have come from, among others, Fredrikstad, Kongsberg and as far as Bergen to assist in the search.
Escaped on New Year’s Eve
Matilde Rosendal, her two children and the pet Apo, spent the Christmas holidays in Geilo.
On New Year’s Eve, they were all gathered to watch the fireworks from the cabin, but the commotion in the sky scared Apo, who started running away from the cabin.
20 minutes later he was observed on a country road about four kilometers away. The taxi driver who saw him could not reach him.
– He was probably completely terrified and has been in a panic for three hours. In addition, he is not used to the snow, as we live in Denmark, says Rosendal.
After reporting it to the police, she publishes a wanted ad on Facebook and promises a finder’s dose of 10,000 kroner. The response was beyond all expectations, she says.
– Surprisingly nice
Every day after, several volunteers volunteered to assist in the search operation.
One of them was Kristian Brusletto Kjærholt, who took responsibility for the organization of the search operation.
When VG talks to him, he is sitting in the car with Apo and partner in the exploration work Hanna Kristine Mylius, on his way to the vet to check the health condition of the missing lab tissue.
– He is surprisingly nice, not very, but very worn in the paws then, says Kjærholt.
– Well, I will not speak for sure until we have checked him at the vet, but he waggles his tail and has full confidence in us, says Kjærholt.
– Typical of Rural Norway
– We have been around 30 pieces that have gone every single day. In addition, a dozen other volunteers have participated in the search, when they have had the opportunity, he says.
People have also engaged by going from hut to hut with flyers and posters of the dog. Together, they have been at the door of over 1000 houses and cabins, Kjærholt estimates.
– It’s just been a huge commitment. It is perhaps a bit typical for Rural Norway that you are more united when that happens, he says.
Insisted on continuing the search
The wait has been painful for the owner Matilde Rosendal and the family.
They have been at home in Denmark since last Sunday. Sometimes Rosendal has become more and more convinced that Apo was dead.
– It’s been awful. To walk around thinking that he was going to die, so scared and alone, and freeze to death … It has been absolutely horrible, says Rosendal.
But the volunteers insist on continuing the search, says Rosendal.
“We will find him,” they said.
Fundraising was started during the search operation.
A total of 178,000 kroner has been collected which has gone to catering and a heat-seeking drone for future exploration operations.
– The bounty of 10,000 kroner, no one wants. Instead, I give the money to the drone fund, says Rosendal.
– A miracle
On Saturday morning, Rosendal received a call on FaceTime from Kjærholt and Mylius. She was sure they called to say he was dead.
– They asked if I was with the children. Yes, I said. Should I walk away from them, I asked.
– No, you have to go in to them, he said, he also filmed the dog, Rosendal says.
On screen, she saw vivid images of the tufts of hair like plagues and wagged her tail.
– It is a miracle. I can not find words, she says.
Mother Matilde and son Hjalte travel by ferry to Norway on Saturday night to be reunited with the furry family member.
– I want to give everyone who got involved a huge hug, and will be eternally grateful for the help we have received, says a touched dog owner.