ASCHAE’s DogBlog

Source: ElPasoTimes.com, Dec 14, 2009

The family of Robert Sumrall, the rescued hiker, said Monday he is awake but still not talking.

They expect Sumrall will be transferred to an acute-care hospital today after 10 days of intensive care at University Medical Center.

Sumrall, 67, vanished with his dog Zulu, a black Labrador retriever mix, in the Black Range of the Gila National Forest more than two weeks ago.

After seven days in the frigid mountains of west-central New Mexico, two ranchers found Sumrall with 3-year-old Zulu on the east side of the Mimbres Valley near San Lorenzo, N.M. Sumrall was lying down semi-conscious with Zulu on top of him, but as the two people approached them, Zulu ran away and is still missing in the mountains.

Sumrall’s wife, Jan Sumrall, said it is taking him a while to recover, but she believes the frostbites on his body and feet and his body functions are looking a lot better. Jan Sumrall is a former city representative.

“Just the thought of him getting better each day keeps me going,” she said.

Jan Sumrall said doctors have not said anything about long-term effects her husband could suffer.

Because of the tracheotomy he had, Robert Sumrall cannot talk yet, said Chris Hoggard, his son-in-law.

As Robert Sumrall recovers, his family and the Animal Rescue League aren’t giving up on the search for Zulu.

“We are confident that we will get our little girl back,” Jan Sumrall said.

The disappearance of Zulu broke the hearts of many animal lovers in the area who have followed the story. She has been called a hero, a savior and the loyal friend who helped Sumrall stay warm in wintry conditions in the mountains.El Paso Times blogger Lorraine Kubala started an account to reward whoever brings back Zulu. But Cissy McAndrew, who owns the property where Sumrall was found, said that hikers are trespassing and that the search should be left to the professionals, the Animal Rescue League.

The group installed live traps and took food and clothes from Robert Sumrall to the search area last week. The efforts yielded no clues on Sunday however, said Loretta Hyde, founder of the Animal Rescue League.

Hyde went Sunday with another dog and did not find Zulu. They have also posted flyers in bed and breakfasts and gas stations around the area, but Hyde said the area where Zulu could be is large.

“It’s very discouraging because that place is so huge,” Hyde said. “It’s just wilderness. Every corner you go around it’s the same thing.”

Hyde said that it is hard to say whether Zulu is alive because of the threat wild animals pose in the forest. But doctors said Labradors can be strong enough to resist the cold and wildlife.