Deb D’Andrea

Nederland

We’ve seen the posters, the posts, and the call for help to find the lost pup or kitten, and here in the mountains, even horses, cows and goats.  Some find their way home after being missing briefly, just having taken themselves for an afternoon stroll or an opportunistic journey, while others find themselves miles from their home, following their ‘flight’ instinct after a traumatic experience like gun fire or being in a car accident. Others are picked up by strangers who think the pet is homeless, and are often kept as the new family pet. Sadly, many are never seen again. It’s an empty feeling to think your beloved is out there alone, scared, wandering, unsure where to go, where you are, lost.

If your pet goes missing, stay in the general area where they disappeared while others search a wider area. If you have connectivity, posting on Facebook is a quick way to get the word out.  After calling for them and searching till dark with no luck, head to the local police station to report your missing pet.  Check in with the Humane Society, rescue groups, local vet offices, animal control and other organizations in the area. Post signs with a picture and a description of your beloved, along with contact information. If you can, include a reward.  Social media like Facebook and Twitter are good ways to get the word out fast, again with lots of pictures, and there is a National Missing Pet Partnership dedicated to reuniting companions with their people.  (www.missingpetpartnership.org)

Several of us hike without leashes, letting our pups run freely through the woods, which can quickly cause a missing pet situation. I remember a pet sitter who took a client’s pet with them camping and the dog roamed off, never to be seen again. I just read about a hiker who saw a dog with their leash stuck between two boulders, unable to move. That dog was lucky to be found. Most dogs will stay within sight or within a certain distance to keep an eye on us; others will roam out of sight and check in every so often. They’re enjoying the freedom to roam and be dogs.  I have bells I attach to my girls’ collars when we hike so I can hear them, and the bells help reduce the possibility of them spooking wildlife.  

It’s important to ensure you have your most recent contact information on your pups’ tags or chip.  If someone finds your pup wandering down the road, the last thing you want is for them to call a disconnected number.  If you have chipped your dog, you can easily reprogram the chips with updated information.

However, even due diligence sometimes doesn’t deter a missing pet. When I was in college, my sheltie was very social and used to love to visit the neighbor dogs. He’d jump the fence as I made breakfast, take himself for a walk and jump back in, all happy to have visited his buddies. This was a daily ritual. One day he didn’t return home. I posted signs everywhere, called authorities, spread the word far and wide that Smokey was missing. Then, the call came, from a woman in the City, far away from where we lived. My guess is they had been awaiting notification that a reward was offered and called to let me know they had my dog. Turns out the woman grabbed Smokey, took him on the bus, brought him to the inner city, 30 minutes away, and awaited notification from whomever that a reward had been posted. I was lucky I got my dog back. After that, Smokey never jumped the fence to visit his friends, he was mortified and I’ve never witnessed a dog so happy to see me!

I hope you never experience the feeling of losing a beloved member of your family. I know many who have lost pets that have never returned and I’ve been told that it’s a feeling that never goes away, as if a child was snapped up out of your life never to be seen again.

Till next time. Deb D’Andrea, founder of 4TheLuvOfDogz & the Caribou Dog Ranch is recognized by the State of Colorado as a Certified Canine Massage Therapist and will visit your home or vet to work with your dog. Canine Agility may be offered at the Caribou Dog Ranch in 2017 if there is interest. Deb currently has limited availability for new Petz Nanny Clients; and she bakes up fresh dog treats & doggy birthday cakes per order.  For information contact Deb at 720-675-7078 or email: info@4theluvofdogz.com.