According to Zak Anderegg’s website, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. for four years and was even granted two Navy Achievement medals for his exceptional personal performance.

However, one of his most amazing achievements to date had to do with being in the right place at the right time and going above and beyond to do the right thing. While most people wouldn’t risk their own lives to save a helpless animal, Anderegg is not your average hero.

As he was hiking in the remote mountains of the Utah/Arizona border, Anderegg made a completely shocking discovery in a deep canyon, as you can see in the original video here. Someone had abandoned a tiny, innocent puppy, leaving him down in the canyon to die. Anderegg rappelled out of the canyon and went to town to get the emaciated, dying puppy food and more water, before returning the next day to bring him to safety. However, their encounter didn’t end there, as Anderegg and his wife decided to keep the pup, who they named Riley, and nurse him back to health, as you can see in these photos.

Just three months after the remarkable rescue, the family appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show to tell their amazing story.

Please SHARE if you love animals and this amazing rescue put a smile on your face today!
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