Danelle Ballengee and Taz
Danelle and Taz
Dog Helps Save Elite Athlete's Life
Last December, Danelle Ballengee, a two-time adventure racing world champion and one of the top female endurance sport athletes in the world, fell more than 60 feet while on a training trail run in a remote area near her home in Moab, Utah, fracturing her pelvis in four places. She survived two nights in freezing temperatures with her dog, Taz, watching over her and warming her. Danelle was finally rescued after Taz caught the attention of search teams and led them to her.
Danelle's remarkable story and her debt to Taz are told in two terrific articles online. Devon O'Neil writes a great story about the rescue for The Summit Daily News, “Miracle in Moab: The stunning rescue of Danelle Ballengee,” online at http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20061222/NEWS/61222011. And Brian Metzler tells the story in “Dog comes to racer's rescue,” for ESPN Outdoors at http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/general/news/story?id=2704879.
Danelle Ballengee is one of the best athlete's in the world, but her stamina alone didn't save her life. A big part of the credit goes to her dog Taz, a 3-year-old German Shepherd/Golden Retreiver mix.
Taz was with Ballengee when she fell and spent two frigid nights by her side. But it was on the third day, with searchers still miles away, when Taz became a rescuer.
On the first night in the cold, Taz slept with his head on Ballengee's stomach, but during the second night he was hesitant to get near her, perhaps sensing her internal bleeding.
"The first night I couldn't really cuddle with him because I had to stay on my back, but he cuddled next to me and helped keep me warm," she said. "But the second night he either got mad or he got a plan in his head. Either way, I just can't wait to give him a big hug. He definitely helped save my life. I don't know if I would have made it out there another night."
Ballengee said she wasn't sure when Taz left because he was gone for a while and returned a couple of times.
Taz headed out, apparently in the direction of the nearest town, but changed direction when he saw people. "They couldn't catch the dog. He was biting at their feet and then taking up off the hill, so they got on their ATV and followed the dog who led them to Danelle," said Gary Ballengee, Danelle's father.
A kinesiology/biology graduate from the University of Colorado-Boulder, Danelle has conquered many of the world's better-known mountains as a competitor in numerous high altitude marathons and has distinguished herself as a professional duathalete and triathlete as well. Adventure racing is an endurance sport in which coed teams of three athletes mountain bike, paddle, hike, climb, run and navigate through the wilderness in events that last from three hours to seven days. Danelle has dominated the adventure racing competition in the United States by winning the Adventure Racing World Championships, the Balance Bar Adventure race finals, the Raid World Championships, and the Primal Quest Expedition Adventure. Adventure Sports Magazine named Danelle Female Athlete of the Year for 2004. She has also dominated in snowshoe racing, with over 100 career wins and four years undefeated (1997-2001).
Following her fall and injuries, Danelle faces four to six months of learning to walk again and it may be a year before she has a full recovery. Her great physical condition and competitor's spirit should help her on her road to recovery. According to stories online, doctors say that if all goes well Danelle should be able to compete again one day. Whatever happens, Taz will be there right by her side.
“My dog is so awesome,” Danelle said. “He has no idea how important he is. He deserves a big reward – like a big steak."
For an article updating Danelle's progress, check out this story: http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=64710
For information on donations to help Danelle's medical expenses, visit this site: Danelle Ballengee Medical Fund, http://www.trainingrx.com/.
