In the summer of 2016, deep within the untamed wilderness of Canada, an adventurous Golden Retriever/Collie mix named Kali found herself on a journey that would test every ounce of her courage and survival instincts.
The day had started like any other for Kali and her humans, Dave Kareken and Joy Neilyset, who had set out to enjoy a peaceful hike along a riverside trail. Surrounded by the towering trees and soothing sounds of the forest, the family soaked in the beauty of nature, unaware that their day was about to take a heart-wrenching turn.
Unbeknownst to them, recent storms had turned the once-calm river into a dangerous torrent. The trail, usually serene and safe, now bordered rushing waters that posed a hidden threat. Drawn by curiosity and the excitement of the wild, Kali ventured too close to the edge. A single misstep sent her tumbling onto a ledge nearly ten feet below. Disoriented and scared, she leapt again—this time straight into the churning current.
Caught in the grip of the rapids, Kali vanished from sight, leaving her owners in shock and panic. For hours, Dave and Joy searched the riverbanks, shouting her name into the woods, praying for a miracle.
“We did everything we could. We searched and called for what felt like forever. But she was just…gone,” Dave shared with USA Today, his voice heavy with emotion.
Eventually, with no sign of Kali and daylight fading, the couple had to make the impossible decision—to leave without her. They returned to their home in Asheville, North Carolina, hearts broken, their family now missing a beloved member. Their son, away at camp in Minnesota, received the devastating news as well.
“I’ve never felt loss like that,” Dave recalled. “It was like a part of us had vanished into that river.”
What they didn’t know was that Kali wasn’t giving up. For the next ten days, she fought to survive in the rugged wilderness. With no familiar faces or comforts, she relied on her instincts, finding food, shelter, and the strength to keep going in an unforgiving land.
Back home, Dave and Joy clung to hope, though it grew fainter with each passing day. Then, out of the blue, a phone call changed everything.
Kali had been found—alive.
She had made her way to a campsite not far from where she was last seen. Tired, weathered, but alive. The news sent shockwaves through Dave’s entire being.
“I dropped to my knees,” he said, struggling to hold back tears. “I couldn’t believe it. I just kept saying ‘thank you’ over and over.”
Without hesitation, Dave jumped in his car and drove 20 straight hours toward the place where his dog had been spotted. Every mile brought him closer to a reunion he had only dreamed of. When he finally laid eyes on Kali, it was a moment of pure joy and disbelief.
Kali’s story is more than just an adventure—it’s a powerful testament to loyalty, resilience, and the deep, unbreakable connection between a person and their pet. Against all odds, she survived the wilderness. And her family never gave up believing in her.