As Justin found out, outdoor trips can become quite adventurous and full of unexpected twists. He was on a multi-day rafting trip down the Red Deer and Saskatchewan Rivers. One fateful day, he heard a commotion—a "dogfight"—he investigated, found nothing, and paid no mind to it. At first. But then, some time later, as he was fishing, he heard a squeak. Unbeknownst to Justin, he was about to catch something other than a fish.
He looked where the squeak was coming from and found a nose barely above water level. Because the water was dark and murky, he couldn't make out what it was. As he was leaning over, Justin unexpectedly fell into the freezing water. Down there, he finally could make out what the creature was—a coyote pup! He managed to pull both of them out of the water.
The pup was unconscious and didn't seem to be breathing. Luckily, Justin had experience with CPR
Image credits: WRSOS
The pup was unconscious at first and didn't seem to be breathing, but luckily, Justin had prior experience with CPR and managed a modified Heimlich maneuver by pushing on its belly. After a few pumps, water came gushing out of the coyote's snout, and he could breathe again. Justin made a fire to warm and dry themselves.
Justin and YipYip were rafting together for the next 10 days with no service
Image credits: WRSOS
Justin and YipYip (that's what he ended up naming the coyote puppy) were rafting together for the next 10 days with no service. Naturally, Justin took YipYip under his wing and took care of him the entire time. They would eat and cuddle together, and YipYip slept in his backpack when he wanted to. Eventually, Justin found a place with service and called his wife for advice. First, he contacted organizations in Ontario and Manitoba before he connected with the Swift Current SPCA, who rerouted him to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society Of Saskatchewan, who eventually broke the story as we know it.
They would eat and cuddle together, and YipYip slept in his backpack when he wanted to
Image credits: WRSOS
Unfortunately for everyone, these are the only photos that Justin could salvage. Turns out he had his camera damaged in the water during his trip.
Eventually, Justin found a place with service and called for help. YipYip on the left in a rescue center
Image credits: WRSOS
Eventually, Justin found a place with service and called his wife for advice. First, he contacted organizations in Ontario and Manitoba before he connected with the Swift Current SPCA, who rerouted him to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society Of Saskatchewan, who eventually broke the story as we know it.
As for YipYip, he is becoming wild again at the rehab and cautiously hides whenever someone approaches him, so there are few photos of him from there too. Which is good, because he will have to get back to his wild habitat, and he's adjusting fast.
Full story as told by WRSOS
Here's how people reacted
