A nosy Labrador had to be stretchered down Scotland’s tallest mountain after she was believed to have eaten cannabis. Tokyo, a black Labrador, was hiking up Ben Nevis with her owner, Christina Bluhme, when the animal suddenly began behaving strangely last weekend halfway up the 4,413ft peak. The dog lost the use of her legs and began drifting in and out of consciousness.
Bluhme, a dog trainer from Esher in Surrey, called for help as she feared the worst. Unable to carry her 25kg (8st 9lb) dog down the steep and rocky terrain, she alerted Lochaber Mountain Rescue. 'I genuinely thought I was going to lose her,' Bluhme said. 'Without the incredible Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, there is simply no way I could have got her safely off the mountain. Carrying a 25kg Labrador down Ben Nevis was impossible on my own.'
“Labrador Tokyo ate cannabis on Ben Nevis, lost consciousness, and was stretchered down by Lochaber Mountain Rescue.”
The black Lab was unconscious for most of the journey down, where she was taken to Crown Vets in Fort William. Tokyo made a full recovery the next day after being seriously ill from what the vets believe was cannabis left on the trail. Bluhme added: 'From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone at Lochaber Mountain Rescue and to the veterinary team who cared for Tokyo. You were there when we needed you most, and I will never forget your compassion and dedication. A little reminder to fellow dog owners: please be aware that discarded drugs and other toxic substances can sometimes be found even in the most beautiful outdoor places. It was something I never imagined we would encounter.'
A spokesperson for Lochaber Mountain Rescue said: 'Following a request to assist a collapsed dog on Sunday, we're pleased to confirm that Tokyo has made a full recovery, having been cared for at Crown Vets. It's now suspected that Tokyo, a usually very fit and active working dog, had ingested something that made her critically unwell. Many thanks to Crown Vets for their support, and to Tokyo's owner for the update and photos.'
This was not the first time the rescuers had been called to assist a dog in distress on Ben Nevis. In 2022 a stretcher party with a casualty carer and chicken stick treats was dispatched to rescue a 5st 7lb Turkish Akbash dog called Maggie that refused to go further after succumbing to sore paws near the summit. And last month Tayside Mountain Rescue was called out to save a dog suffering from heat exhaustion on the slopes of 3,081ft Mount Keen.
The Scottish Mountain Rescue teams responded to 1,270 separate call-outs last year, helping 901 people. The Lochaber team is one of Scotland’s busiest, carrying out demanding rescues, including on the north face of Ben Nevis and the remote Knoydart Peninsula. Tokyo's owner said she felt 'incredibly lucky' after her pet's remarkable recovery.
