An escaped St. Bernard was found alive, although decidedly worse for wear, after 17 days lost outside in freezing-cold Minnesota weather.

The 10-year-old dog, named "Old Lady," was discovered in the woods cold and shivering and in “rough shape,” according to the animal rescue group Ruff Start Rescue.

Ruff Start Rescue says "Old Lady" was brought to their care facility in Princeton on Friday, January 4th, having been found near Zimmerman. She was very skittish having previously been in a puppy mill where she spent her entire life living in a barn.

She escaped that same day and only a couple of people reported seeing the big dog in the two and a half weeks that followed.

On Monday, Old Lady was spotted stuck in the woods with her leash tangled in tree branches. Someone called the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office and they immediately contacted Ruff Start Rescue.

An "intense rescue mission" with help from a lost dog nonprofit called The Retrievers followed and she was brought back into the warmth and care of Ruff Start Rescue.

"She was SO cold and shivering. We think she has been tied up here since Friday," said Ruff Start Rescue.

"She is in rough shape but we are hoping she will be ok. Shes resting in the warmth now after getting some food and water and we will continue to monitor her and she will be seeing the vet yet today."

According to Vet Street, St. Bernard's have an average lifespan of 7-10 years, so Old Lady really is a tough old lady.

 

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