Ranger wasn’t one of Santa’s flying reindeer, but at Snowberry Pines Holiday Camp, he was just as special. He lived in the petting zoo during the winter season, where kids fed him apple slices and took pictures beside his fuzzy antlers.

But one snowy afternoon, Ranger proved he could do more than pose for pictures; he could save the day.

A Child Goes Missing

Eight-year-old Max had wandered off during a snowy scavenger hunt near the edge of the woods.
He was chasing a bunny, giggling and crunching through the snow, when he realised something scary; he couldn’t see the trail, the signs, or his group anymore.

The sky darkened. The snow thickened. Max called out, but the wind carried his voice away.

Found in the Forest

Ten minutes later, they heard it, a soft cry behind a snowy log.

Ranger had stopped, his nose pointed straight ahead.

There was Max, curled in his coat, cheeks pink and eyes wide.

“Ranger found him!” Ellie shouted. Ranger snorted proudly and gently nudged Max with his nose.