An Oak Ridge pair training for a grueling race didn't expect their run to turn into a rescue mission.
Ashley Blake and Joshua Scott of Oak Ridge were six miles into a training run for the Barkley Fall Classic in Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg last week. The classic is a 50K race in rough, rural terrain that gives runners a sense of what the 100K Barkley Marathon is like.
As they ran down a wooded trail, they heard a sound that made them stop.
A litter of five black lab puppies were huddled together alongside a rural road in freezing temperatures, scared and alone.
The pair scooped the puppies up and contact park rangers, who told them the spot is a popular one for dumping unwanted dogs because it is so isolated.
Blake and Scott carried the pups to a two-lane highway to meet a park ranger, who took the puppies home with him until they could be taken to a local shelter.
The runners couldn't get the puppies out of their mind, so called the next morning to find out how they were doing.
Scott ended up adopting one of the pups, and named him Barkley. They say the little guy is adjusting very well and loves playing with his two doggie siblings.
The other pups have also found good homes.