From Barn Dog to Beloved Family: Whitey’s Muddy Rescue at Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary
At Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary (ZRFS) in North Carolina, every animal is family. So when Kristin Hartness and Jay Yontz suddenly realized their senior pup, Whitey, was nowhere to be found one afternoon, panic set in fast.
The couple scoured their 110-acre property, checking on all 100 animals. Everyone was accounted for — except Whitey. Hours passed with no sign of their faithful boy, until Kristin faintly heard a strange squishing sound.
It led her to the last place she expected: a deep mud pit.
Whitey, the sweet pup who had once been too shy to even enter a house, was now chest-deep in muck, struggling desperately to free himself. Exhausted and caked in mud, he had been trying for hours to escape — but hadn’t made an inch of progress.
Whitey’s Journey to Family
When Kristin and Jay bought the farm in 2017, Whitey was already there. A solitary barn dog with no family, his only job was to guard the animals. He lived outside, avoided humans, and slept alone.
But Kristin and Jay weren’t about to let him live out his days that way. They carried Whitey inside, gave him a bed, and showed him what it meant to be loved.
At first, he was unsure. But the very next morning, when they opened the door, Whitey was curled up in a ball right outside — waiting for them. From that moment on, he chose his people. He followed them everywhere, traded the barn for the couch, and embraced life as a true family dog.
The Scary Disappearance
That’s why his disappearance shook them so deeply. Whitey never left their side. And now, here he was, trapped in mud, too weak to call for help. Kristin tried to pull him free, but it was no use. Thankfully, Jay was right behind her. With one strong lift, he freed Whitey from the pit and set him safely on solid ground.
Whitey hobbled around, trying to shake off the ordeal, before his parents carried him inside for a warm bath. Soon, he was snuggled in his bed, surrounded by the family who once saved him — and had just done so again.
A Farm’s Beating Heart
Whitey isn’t just Kristin and Jay’s shadow — he’s beloved by every animal on the farm. From pigs to goats to chickens, everyone at ZRFS knows Whitey as the gentle guardian and best friend.
“He’s truly been a blessing every single day since we moved in,” ZRFS shared. “Today, he is the center of our world.”
And after a terrifying few hours apart, that blessing feels greater than ever.