Like any good doggie, Bud the Labrador thought a walk up the Mournes with his beloved owner Linzi Johnston, was just the ticket.
And a 5am start did nothing to dull his enthusiasm.
But by 10am things had taken a turn for the worse when the chocolate Labrador just couldn't manage an other step.
Too big to be carried by Linzi down the descent of Slieve Donard, an other walker gave the pair a helping hand.
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And together the managed to get poor Bud partially down the Glen River track before more help appeared complete with a stretcher and muscle.
Five members of the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team made their way to Bud and Linzi after a distress call at 10.15am.
A spokesperson for the team said: "We team received a request to assist a walker whose dog had become unwell on the descent of Slieve Donard.
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"The dog, who has completed the walk in the past, appeared unable to continue and his owner was unable to carry him unaided.
"The team responded and met the dog and his owner on the track by which time, with assistance from another walker and sheer dogged determination, they had managed to get him well down the Glen River track.
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"The dog was carried by stretcher to a team vehicle, in which he was transported back to his owner's car.
"We have since heard that he is showing signs of recovering well despite a ruff morning. Five team members responded and stood down at 1200hrs."
Linza took to social media to thank all the helpers.
She said: "Bud would just love to say a massive thank you to the lads and he just didn’t like the 5am start today. You guys rock. Thank you ... and Chris from Cookstown who helped me, you are a gentleman. And Bud wants to get you a new ruck sack."
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