by Al Frank/The Star-Ledger
Thursday December 04, 2008, 6:14 PM
Two women searching for a lost dog needed rescue themselves today after they got lost in a Parsippany marsh. Montville and State Police sent an all-terrain vehicle and four helicopters to find them and the pair - and the pooch - were eventually airlifted to safety. Though wet and cold from their 3 1/2-hour foray into Troy Meadows, 41-year-olds Susan Zymroz of Manasquan, and Deidre Keelen, of Keansburg, were otherwise unhurt by the ordeal.
But eight days wandering the 1,300-acre wildlife refuge had cost Foster, a German shorthair pointer, about 15 of his 60 pounds.
Although just a stone's throw from routes 80 and 280, and toting a cell phone and GPS, the women said they got lost after walking about 1 1/2 miles into the spongy terrain and locating the dog, which had bolted from its Boonton owners the day before Thanksgiving.
Zymroz and Keelen are members of the German Shorthaired Pointers Rescue Club, which had been assisting owners Nicole and Mike Mancusi ever since Foster ran from the parking lot of the dog park on South Beverwyck Road.
"We're so excited," Nicole Mancusi said after the couple was reunited with 5-year-old Foster.
Lost dog sign posted in search of Foster
It was Keelen who found Foster about an hour into the trek. The dog was stranded on a tiny island of sand, so Keelan forded the calf-deep water and stayed with Foster until Zymroz caught up.
At that point the women realized they were lost and should stay put until help arrived. Zymroz used her cell phone to reach a Parsippany dispatcher, and relayed their location from a GPS she carries in her pocket. Montville police sent an all-terrain vehicle but it was the State Police Medevac chopper that found them. Not equipped with a hoist, however, the aviation unit deployed three additional choppers to the scene.
Trooper Daniel Vanco helped the duo and dog aboard while Sgt. Toby Hill piloted the craft.
Zymroz had also called the Mancusis from the swamp so they were watching nearby as the helicopter landed around 1:30 p.m.
"Out they came -- it was remarkable," Nicole Mancusi said. Foster will be kept by the vet overnight but other than the weight loss, appears to have no major injuries, she said. "And I'm so happy Sue and Dee were able to come out of this unscratched," Mancusi said. "It was remarkable how Sue kept the faith and was able to find him."
Keelen credited Saint Anthony of Padua, the 13th Century Franciscan whose aid the devout seek in finding lost things.
After arriving at the dog park, Keelen said she prayed: "Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony please come around. Something's been lost and has to be found."
She said the prayer again in the swamp as Zymroz called the cops. A short time later, they heard the thump of the helicopter's rotor.
Lt. Gerald Lewis, a State Police spokesman, said he could not estimate the rescue's cost. However, in 2004, the governor reimbursed State Police $1,830 per hour for non-state use of a helicopter.
"What price can you put on saving someone's life?" Lewis said.
At that point the women realized they were lost and should stay put until help arrived. Zymroz used her cell phone to reach a Parsippany dispatcher, and relayed their location from a GPS she carries in her pocket. Montville police sent an all-terrain vehicle but it was the State Police Medevac chopper that found them. Not equipped with a hoist, however, the aviation unit deployed three additional choppers to the scene.
Trooper Daniel Vanco helped the duo and dog aboard while Sgt. Toby Hill piloted the craft.
Zymroz had also called the Mancusis from the swamp so they were watching nearby as the helicopter landed around 1:30 p.m.
"Out they came -- it was remarkable," Nicole Mancusi said. Foster will be kept by the vet overnight but other than the weight loss, appears to have no major injuries, she said. "And I'm so happy Sue and Dee were able to come out of this unscratched," Mancusi said. "It was remarkable how Sue kept the faith and was able to find him."
Keelen credited Saint Anthony of Padua, the 13th Century Franciscan whose aid the devout seek in finding lost things.
After arriving at the dog park, Keelen said she prayed: "Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony please come around. Something's been lost and has to be found."
She said the prayer again in the swamp as Zymroz called the cops. A short time later, they heard the thump of the helicopter's rotor.
Lt. Gerald Lewis, a State Police spokesman, said he could not estimate the rescue's cost. However, in 2004, the governor reimbursed State Police $1,830 per hour for non-state use of a helicopter.
"What price can you put on saving someone's life?" Lewis said.
Source: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/authorities_rescue_2_women_los.html
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