valanche on Alpine Mountain

aron Von Lodge was the head of a small country known as Lilliland near Switzerland. The time was the early 1900s.

The Baron looked forward to Winterfest each year. The main event was a ski run down Alpine Mountain. He participated in the event, as did his father and his father's father. It was an event steeped in family tradition.

Everyone who came to the event had a very fine time. There were lots of parties for all the citizens of Lilliland to attend and enjoy themselves.

The castle had several St. Bernard dogs that were trained to assist in the ski event down the mountain. Baron Von Lodge's pet dog, however, was not a large St. Bernard, but a very small dachshund named Oscar. Like Angel, the household cat, Oscar would follow the Baron around the castle from room to room and sleep at the foot of the royal bed. The dachshund was a gift from Lady Angela of Alpine Castle and would always appear to be concerned for the health and well being of the Baron.

The day of Winterfest arrived and the Baron participated in the Alpine downhill ski event. All weather reports were for a fine clear day. The event started with a cheer of excitement. Everyone was having a good time. Unfortunately, the weather changed abruptly and a severe snowstorm moved across the mountain during the ski run.

A major avalanche started right where the Baron was skiing. Tons and tons of snow buried the Baron and his skiing party. The rescue team arrived on the scene and began to dig the skiers out of the snow. They were able to find everyone except the Baron. The rescue team feared that the Baron might be lost for good.

After two days of digging in the snow to find the Baron, they decided to bring in the St. Bernard dogs to see if they could somehow help.

At the same time Oscar could not keep still at the castle because he knew that the Baron was missing. He ran away toward the location of the avalanche and he eluded the people trying to catch him. Now Oscar was missing, too.

But Oscar was a very determined pet and would not give up his quest to find the Baron. Suddenly, the rescue team heard a very loud barking and ran in the direction of the noise. It was Oscar, digging in the snow under some trees. The rescuers dug too, and found the Baron in a small cave under the avalanche. Oscar's barking helped the rescue team free the Baron from the cave.

The Baron hugged his loyal friend and was helped back to the castle.

As the Baron returned to normal castle life, he would walk about the castle and every so often look back to see Oscar following him. Everyone was very happy in Lilliland Castle again.