When Annette clipped the leashes onto Bubba, Chloe, and Roxy for what seemed like a routine walk, she couldn’t have known that the next few days would test her strength — and the unbreakable bond she shared with the dogs.
While exploring the rugged backcountry trails of Coquitlam, Annette slipped and fell, injuring herself in a way that left her unable to continue. Alone, stranded, and in pain, she suddenly faced a terrifying reality: surviving in the wilderness with no phone signal, no shelter, and only her three loyal companions by her side.
For nearly three days, Annette and the dogs endured pounding rain, freezing nights, and gusting winds. The dogs huddled close to keep her warm, their presence giving her both comfort and hope as hours turned into days. Annette’s nightmare might have broken anyone else — but she was never truly alone.
The Dramatic Rescue
Search-and-rescue teams scoured the vast backcountry, and by the time they found Annette, she was exhausted but still conscious — and still clinging to hope with Bubba, Chloe, and Roxy right beside her. Rescuers quickly gave her dry clothes, provided first aid, and prepared for a helicopter evacuation.
At Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club, a crowd gathered to watch the life-saving operation unfold. Annette’s husband, Marcel, along with his brothers Gerry and Andre, waited in anguish as heavy winds battered the rescue site. Against the odds, the helicopter crew managed to lift Annette to safety, suspending her beneath the aircraft before rushing her to the hospital.
Saving the Dogs Too
Even after Annette was safe, the mission wasn’t complete. The three dogs who had never abandoned her were still waiting in the wilderness. Rescuers made two more helicopter trips to bring them out — first Bubba the Puggle, then Chloe the Border Collie, and finally Roxy the Boxer. Each dog was airlifted with the same care as their human friend, before being joyfully reunited with their worried families.
A Joyful, Tearful Reunion
Miraculously, neither Annette nor the dogs suffered major injuries. For their families, it felt like nothing less than a miracle.
“I so appreciate everything that’s been done,” said Janet Kilberg, one of the dog owners. “Annette is not just a walker, she’s a dear friend — and I know all the dogs absolutely love her.”
Another owner, Tina Presley, described Annette as “a true dog whisperer — you see the love in her eyes.”
More Than Just a Rescue
Annette’s story is not only about survival — it’s about the extraordinary loyalty of dogs and the unspoken bond they share with people. Through fear, cold, and exhaustion, Bubba, Chloe, and Roxy never once left her side.
