MARATHON CITY, WI (WSAW/CNN) - Mollie and Steven Schrodi say what was supposed to be a routine walk through a marsh with their dog, Jax, ended up taking a turn for the worse.
“He had seen something and took off after it and wouldn’t come back,” Steven said. “I didn’t hear anything from him.”
The couple ended up coming home that night without their furry companion.
“He just brings so much energy to our house,” Mollie Schrodi said. “When he was not there, it was so quiet. And not in a good way.”
After their social media post asking for help got the attention of local entrepreneur and drone pilot Brandon Bodendorfer, he knew he had the tool that was just right for the job.
Bodendorfer brought a team to help search with his drone.
“We searched just over 360 acres in a matter of a few hours,” he said.
It took a couple of days before Jax was located about 1.5 miles down a trail, followed by another 700 yards into a marsh.
“He started to bark when he saw the camera, and that helped us locate him,” Bodendorfer. “There was a lot of tears yesterday, throughout the day, but that moment was just amazing.”
The Schrodis were overjoyed to have Jax back.
“He looked perfect,” Mollie Schrodi said. “I was surprised at how good he looked. I was expecting the worst driving here.”
Bodendorfer said he was just doing the right thing.
“Today it was a dog. Tomorrow it could be someone’s grandma. It could be someone’s child. I mean, you have to do it,” he said. “That’s our role as humans.”
But for the Schrodis, he’s a hero and the reason they’ll likely get to spend many more happy years with their beloved dog.
“He saved Jax,” Mollie said. “There’s no two ways about it. He’s the reason we have Jax.”
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