Podcast Summary: The MeatEater Podcast
Episode: 774: The Hunting Dog That Wouldn't Die
Host: Steven Rinella
Guest: Ron F. Bane
Date: October 7, 2025
Overview
This riveting episode shares an almost unbelievable tale of survival, resilience, and the deep bond between hunters and their dogs. Host Steven Rinella welcomes his long-time friend and dog expert Ron F. Bane for an "emergency episode" to recount the miraculous story of Tagus, a wirehaired vizsla who survived being ejected from a moving truck on a Michigan interstate and came out with barely a scratch. The conversation unfolds like a detective story, delving into the events, witness accounts, possible explanations, and the emotional impact on Ron and fellow dog lovers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction & The Setup (00:59–04:23)
- Rinella frames the episode as an "emergency broadcast" due to the gravity and incredibility of Ron's story, promising listeners they'll be amazed.
- Ron previews that they're seeking a missing witness to the event and hopes a listener might help solve the last piece of the mystery.
"(Ron) I would put it on a scale of Jesus was buried and rose again three days later. Well, that. And that story's got a lot of press." — Ron F. Bane (01:23)
2. Ron's History with Hunting Dogs (04:24–10:01)
- Ron explains his life-long passion for dogs and hunting, having owned over 23 dogs, raised litters, and judged versatile hunting breeds.
- He shares prior harrowing experiences, including past tragedies involving his dogs, which set the stage for how unusual this incident is.
"If you own enough dogs... anybody's been in it long enough's had this kind of luck or lack of luck. These things happen to you and you just, you just move forward." — Ron F. Bane (08:56)
3. The Incident: A Dog Lost on the Highway (10:02–19:20)
Loading Up Before Dawn
- Ron describes prepping for a hunting trip to North Dakota, securing his dogs in specialized kennels, and the crucial error of not checking a latch.
- Tagus, his 4-year-old wirehaired vizsla, is inadvertently left with a kennel door unlatched and access to an open window.
The Call & The Realization
- While driving, Ron receives a strange call via Bill, his caretaker in Virginia, relaying a message from a passerby (Kristen) who found a dog with his number on I-94 in Michigan.
- Shocked and distraught, he realizes Tagus is missing and likely the victim.
"It hit me like a ton of bricks. I started hyperventilating... I open up the back hood, the back door... there I see the dog kennel door open..." — Ron F. Bane (15:15–15:43)
4. Tagus's Miraculous Survival (19:21–26:20)
The Witness's Account (Kristen Claussen)
- Kristen, a volunteer with Animal Aid of Southwest Michigan, describes seeing a "brown object" (Tagus) ejected from between the wheels of a semi at full highway speed, rolling repeatedly across I-94.
- She pulls over, collects the disoriented dog, and safely transports him to a veterinary clinic.
"She saw this brown object get missed by the truck... then Tagus shoot out between the wheels... rolling like a can down the road... then it stood up." — Ron (as told by Kristen, 20:11–21:45)
The Emergency Vet Visit
- Ron races to the vet, expecting the worst, only to be astounded when Tagus is led to him, wagging his tail, with only abrasions on his brow.
- The vet finds no significant injuries except for—ironically—an ear infection.
"She walked that dog in on a leash, and the dog's tail was wagging." — Ron (26:20)
5. How Did This Happen? Trying to Make Sense (30:10–41:01)
- Ron and Steve ponder the physical impossibility: dropped at 72 mph, Tagus should have suffered fatal injuries or at least severe road rash.
"You just spill out of a moving truck at 72 miles an hour... get rolled under another truck and... all you got is an ear infection." — Steven Rinella (30:10–30:22)
"If you can explain how a dog doesn't get road rash at 72 miles an hour, I'll take another explanation." — Ron (41:15)
- Speculates Tagus may have been vacuumed by a semi's slipstream, somehow flattened, and miraculously avoided all structural components underneath.
- They issue a call to listeners: If anyone witnessed the incident, or knows someone who thinks they hit or saw a dog fall from a truck on I-94 near Sawyer, Michigan (September 18th, ~7:15am), please contact them.
6. Aftermath, Lessons & Emotional Reflections (41:02–49:09)
What Could Have Happened
- Ron acknowledges the scenarios could have been infinitely worse—discovering the loss many hours later, or witnessing the accident himself.
The Reappearance of Tagus
- Tagus resumes his normal life remarkably fast, even eager to jump back into the truck.
- Ron commits to double-checking kennels and adds that, as responsible owners, sometimes mistakes happen—but this will always be an unbelievable story.
Humor & Humility
- The pair joke about Ron's penchant for self-deprecating tales.
- Ron expresses heartfelt gratitude to Kristen and the vet clinic that cared for Tagus.
"This dog is Lazarus." — Ron (45:57)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
The epic scale of the story:
"I would put it on a scale of Jesus was buried and rose again three days later."
— Ron F. Bane (01:23) -
On disbelief and faith:
"If you can explain how a dog doesn't get road rash at 72 miles an hour, I'll take another explanation."
— Ron F. Bane (41:15) -
On the emotional reckoning:
"I'm crying because his tail is wagging... The only thing we found that we'd like to address right now is he has an ear infection."
— Ron (27:47–28:12) -
On the extraordinary and the everyday:
"It's going to be one of the great all-time stories of, of a dog living through something that it's impossible."
— Ron (47:40) -
On responsibility:
"... it's your fault, Ronnie, they're 100 percent right."
— Ron (47:11)
Major Timestamps
- 00:59 – Episode introduction; teases the story and its wild scale.
- 04:24–10:01 – Ron's background in dog handling and previous stories.
- 10:02–19:20 – The incident unfolds: Tagus goes missing and the first call comes in.
- 19:21–26:20 – Recap of the accident and the miraculous rescue by Kristen.
- 26:20–30:10 – Ron reunites with Tagus at the vet.
- 33:36–34:41 – Vet's exam reveals next-to-no injuries.
- 37:17–41:01 – Discussing the logistics: how Tagus could've gotten out.
- 45:07 – Ron shows Tagus on camera—visibly healed, happy, and healthy.
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
This episode is a testament to the unpredictability of life, the exceptional will to survive, and the kindness of strangers. Ron’s story is deeply human—filled with fear, gratitude, guilt, and marvel. Both he and Steve urge listeners: if you saw anything on I-94 near Sawyer, MI, on September 18th around 7:15am, please get in touch to close the last chapter of this "impossible" survival story.
"If you didn't know me, Steve, would you believe this story?" — Ron (48:16)
Contact:
- Reach out via The MeatEater Podcast with subject line "Ronnie's dog"
- Or contact Ron via The Hunting Dog Podcast / social media
Acknowledgements:
- Kristen Claussen (Animal Aid of Southwest Michigan)
- Two by Two Animal Hospital, Berrien Springs
Tagus—The Lazarus Dog—may owe his life to the compassion of strangers, a run of cosmic luck, or, as Ron suggests, "a Clarence-like creature" sent to see him safely home.