Man, dog survive 5 days in Oregon snow: 'Taco Bell fire sauce saves lives!'

A man stranded for five days with his dog when their car became stuck in Oregon's deep snow survived by eating taco sauce packets and periodically starting his vehicle for warmth.

Jeremy Taylor, 36, and his dog Ally were found Friday by a snowmobiler on a Forest Service road near Sunriver, about 180 miles south Portland, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office said.

"Jeremy and Ally were found to be in good condition but hungry after being stuck in the snow for five days," Sgt. William Bailey said. Rescuers shuttled the tandem out of the woods on a snow tractor.

Taylor told investigators his 2000 black Toyota 4Runner became stuck in the snow  Feb. 24. He awoke the next day to even more snow and tried to walk out but was turned back.

Taylor posted thanks on Facebook to his rescuers – and to Taco Bell.

“Thank you everyone, I’m safe my Ally dog is safe," he said. "I really appreciate all the help. Got lucky, let's never do that again."

The Cascade Range in central Oregon has been hammered for more than a week by a series of intense snowstorms. Scores of friends and others commented on Taylor's good fortune to survive and be rescued. Some were amazed that Taylor could survive on packets of taco sauce.

"Taco Bell fire sauce saves lives!" Taylor responded.