Jenny Rutherford

Wow!! The Walker rescue story really took off and The Atlanta Journal-Constitutiontion covered it! 🐕❤️ It’s incredible to think that Walker’s story touched so many hearts and made news all the way to Atlanta. What started as a local search effort became something that people across the state were following and cheering for.

If you want to read it, here is the link: https://bit.ly/walkerajc

Most importantly, Walker is home and reintegrating with his family like he never skipped a beat. One of the funniest things Heike told me was that when he arrived at their “new normal” home, he didn’t even stink. After spending 6 days and 6 nights surviving on Little Tybee, he was somehow clean as a whistle!

After everything he endured, that’s just totally classic Walker. Six days alone in the marshes, dodging danger, surviving the elements, and somehow coming home looking fresh and ready to pick up where he left off.

That dog is an absolute survivor. ❤️🐾

NEW LISTING ON WHITEMARSH ISLAND! 🌾2512 Whitemarsh Way is a one-of-a-kind 2BR/2.5BA Condo listed for $350K that offers a rare floorplan, stylish renovations + low-maintenance living in The Merritt, one of Savannah's most desirable gated communities.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/whitemarshway

Inside, you'll find soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, an updated kitchen with granite countertops, subway tile backsplash & stainless steel appliances, a private balcony + a spacious primary suite featuring two custom walk-in closets.

The attached 2-car garage delivers exceptional storage + an incredible golf simulator setup that makes this home truly stand out from anything else on the market.

Located in The Merritt at Whitemarsh, residents enjoy resort-style amenities including a pool, clubhouse, fitness center, lagoons & beautifully maintained grounds, all just minutes from Downtown Savannah & Tybee Island.

Call Jenny Rutherford Real Estate at 912.388.2828 for more information or to schedule your private showing today!

Most people drive past great land opportunities like this every day without realizing it👉 276 Highway 119 N in Ellabell is offered at $750K, this property offers 23.78 acres with a great mix of buildable uplands, natural wetlands and even a small pond. Whether your goal is a future homesite, a family retreat, recreational property or simply a smart long-term investment, this land gives you options.

Learn More: https://bit.ly/276Hwy119

A few highlights:
🌿 23.78 acres total
🌿 ~14.37 acres upland
🌿 ~9.79 acres wetland
🌿 ~0.23 acre pond
🌿 Direct Hwy 119 frontage
🌿 Near the Hyundai Metaplant growth corridor

The property is also Eligible for Cuva Tax Credit Program though not currently enrolled in any covenants.

If you've been considering land ownership, I'd love to tell you more about this opportunity!📱Call Jenny Rutherford Real Estate at 912.388.2828 to learn more!

Heike is our dog walker, and she walks my little Yorkie every day like clockwork. She’s become part of our family. We were so happy to see her back at work after getting settled into the ‘new normal’ home while she waits for her actual home to be rebuilt after the fire, which can be a long and drawn out process between insurance and more.

When we drove down to the South End of the Island to see what was on fire and realized it was Heike’s home, and that Walker was missing, my heart absolutely sank!!! 💔

One thing I’ve noticed is that when someone goes through a major life event, people sometimes assume they should give them space and stop using their services. While that may come from a good place, for many small business owners their work is also their livelihood.

Taking care of animals isn’t just a job for Heike. This is something she genuinely loves doing, and she’s exceptional at it. I can’t tell you how many times we have come home to sweet little unexpected gifts that she just picked up thinking of us or our animals. She walks our Yorkie while I’m at work or on trips, watches our cat when we’re away, and has even helped us with our fish tank. She’s watered plants and checked the mail… anything! She’s so thoughtful and goes the extra mile. What was so cool about when we were doing the Search & Rescue for Walker was how many of her clients reached out and wanted to help because she has been taking care of our community for so long and now our community is loving back on her… but even cooler the people who didn’t know her who showed up and loved anyway! I even found out that she helps take care of some chickens on the island too! If it has paws, feathers, or fins, chances are Heike can help.

Through everything she’s been facing, her dedication to the animals she cares for has never wavered and what keeps her going. If you’re looking for a dependable, caring, and experienced pet sitter or dog walker, I can’t recommend her enough. Supporting local small businesses during difficult times can make a bigger difference than you know. ❤️🐾

NEW LISTING at 6 Taylor Ave on Tybee's North End! 🌊 This 3BR/3BA home offered at $625,000 is one of those properties that captures so much of what people love about island living. You can see the Tybee Lighthouse from the covered balcony, walk to North Beach and enjoy one of the most sought-after locations on the island.

More information: https://bit.ly/6taylorstreet

Inside, the home is bright, welcoming + move-in ready with a wood-burning fireplace, renovated primary bath, updated kitchen, and a flexible floor plan that includes a private bedroom and full bath with its own entrance. Whether you need space for guests, family, a home office, or even future rental potential, this home offers a lot of possibilities.

What I love most is how it feels tucked away while still being close to everything. Between the lighthouse views, the mature landscaping, and the backyard outdoor living space, it's easy to imagine slowing down and enjoying the best of Tybee life here.

If you'd like more information or would like to schedule a private showing, give Jenny Rutherford Real Estate a call at 912.388.2828.

WALKER SATURDAY UPDATE- the day after Rescue Update and Recap! He is at home and happy with his family slowly eating food and water on the the recovery mend. A lot of people are asking for the updates of where we spotted him at and what did the tracking look like! Huge shout out to our friend Bryan Donaldson with On Time Air who made the map and helped me to put together the timeline from our photos and texts and calls. I did a post with all those who were part of the Friday Night Rescue team “Walker Tybee Rangers”. If sharing update helps others who have lost their dog out in the wilderness or along the water and marsh, it is worth it.

This was our *timeline* and Walker's Rescue and Recovery Friday Plan on June 12. Our local boots on the ground rescue team developed a new recovery plan, drawing on the pattern of locations where Walker had previously been spotted. This was key intelligence so our guys who are experienced hunters and trackers could “think like a dog”. We realized quickly in the days missing he was laying down away from the shores under trees to bed down. We also had to analyze which boats we had & what was the best approach for each.

The team assembled at Alley 3 on Tybee Island at 4:30 p.m. to finalize logistics between those who showed up and initial drone flights went out. Knowing that Tide was coming in (high tide was 6:17pm) and our thermal camera would start working soon from the drone. It was the perfect intersection of the tide and the temperature is dropping which is why timing was everything. Working in a coastal, marsh area you’ve got to consider tide, wind, currents, sunrise/sunset, temperatures and more when it comes to navigation and your approach. We needed to get to work quickly and work together as a team. Communication and logistics were #1 to work in a coordinated effort.

Radios were distributed among team members, and the boats were loaded with supplies: dog food, water, a trail camera, grills, charcoal, and locally sourced meats. Weather was in the team's favor, with overcast skies, and we were determined not to return without Walker.

At 5:00 p.m., the team launched our recovery attempt into the marsh.

The Recovery: The effort moved quickly from there. By 6:01 p.m., Walker had been located by Jon the kayaker. The Alley 3 drones were launched, as well as one from the Boat, to assist the team and help mark his exact location.

Within minutes, at 6:10 p.m., a lead was secured around him, and by 6:20 p.m. additional rescue teams arrived on scene to assist. Our Radios weren’t coming in clear so we did 2 phones with three way calls on speaker to connect the boats to the Alley 3 based drone and communication team. Walker, despite everything he'd been through, still had some fight left in him. He didn't want to be caught but also, he didn't run either.

At 6:22 p.m., the team tried positioning a travel crate in front of Walker, attempting to use the surrounding terrain to corral him toward it.

At 6:25 p.m., Walker chewed through the first lead and found himself free … but again, he didn't bolt. After a few tense moments, the team secured him with a larger, sturdier lead.

By 6:30 p.m., it was clear the crate-and-corral approach wasn't working. That's when the team changed tactics. Water from one of the boats was brought over and presented to Walker, which he seemed very grateful for.

After a few minutes, the water was placed inside the travel crate in hopes of luring Walker in on his own. The same marsh terrain that had helped corral him now worked against the team, making maneuvering difficult. Walker drank the water and seemed to sense the rescuers were there to help him, but he remained hesitant to enter the crate. The guys worked together as a team, stayed patient, and finally, Walker went inside and was secured.

At 6:35 p.m., Walker was carried to one of the rescue boats & he was finally safe, secure, and headed home.  🌊 🐕 🛶 🚤

The icing on the cake is that one of the volunteers Paul Robinson’s lost drones was even recovered from the Marsh too!!!

At 7:15 pm Jon the Kayaker solo arrived back at Alley 3

The last picture of Walker happy at home and reunited with his Sister “Pretty Penny”!  Thank you to everyone who was involved in the searching rescue Friday night and for the previous six days!