"Lost Dog"

   About two years ago, I lost my dog. She was gone for a week, during the awful nor'easter as I remember.  Wind and rain blew in hard for days. It couldn't have come at a worse time, due the weather, and many personal torrents I was going through - some of the worst imaginable. (This brings to mind a Men's Health article I have clipped [somewhere] on surviving the most traumatic periods of adulthood:  Loss of a job;  divorce; death. How do men confront these crises head-on?). This was truly the last straw. I couldn't believe she couldn't find her way home - why did she run away? Where was she? Was she o.k.?

   Two years later, medical checkups are complete and she is loving her life being a dog.  I was suddenly motivated to wish a big THANK YOU again to especially Gary B., HR Animal Rescue, VBSPCA, VB Animal Control, and many kind people in the neighborhood. I know pets go missing every day, but you must stay hopeful. After a week, one of the fliers I posted got me a phone call and found her huddled under a bush, two full miles away from home, emaciated and covered in mud.  She whined all the way to Arby's, where she took her return-to-civilization feast from a relieved daddy.  The folks that'd helped lured her out with some tuna, and when I called her over it was truly a happy reunion for all involved. 

   That week was really hard.  She was antsy the day she left, I'd come home almost twice trying to get out the door for work to grab coffee, the lunch I forgot, whatever.

   I'd waited for a few hours to see what would happen after finding her missing, then my 'occifer' determination kicked in somehow and there I was, out putting up fliers at 4 a.m.

   I published 200+ lost dog posters with a pic and phone number on major intersections within a 1 mi. radius from my home/"command center". She was sighted at the gas station the day of, and then I would drive around daily, calling her name from my car and blowing a dog whistle. I remember the desperation I felt in doing so, but I was determined to find the little creature who brought me so much happiness at her antics. I surely owed it to her as her master, all she ever wanted was a place to sleep and a bite to eat in return for unconditional love and loyalty. Today, I take special note of how she "knows what I'm thinking" and is so attuned to me. She is well-behaved, sympathetic when I'm down, knows when it's time for a car ride or walkies with only a look & no commands. I'm so lucky to have such a friend, and I consider that the work I put in to get her back among my greatest triumphs, and a reminder of the divine.

Some final thoughts:

1. Get your pet chipped. This is important if your pet is found and turned in, or ever stolen.

2. There are GPS collars, about $200. Pretty expensive, but an oz. of prevention...
3. If searching, ask people you see out for walks if they've seen anything, pass them your info or one of your fliers.

4. Fliers need large text and photo and REWARD stated.

5. Contact animal rescue groups - they get the word out.

6. Ensure holes in your fence are shored up!!!  (My biggest screw-up - not noticing.)

7. Don't give up hope. Your pet is good at finding water and something to munch on. Craigslist is a high-visibility, useful community bulletin board. If you see a stray pet running around, I encourage you to use good judgement (safety) in your actions, and do your part to let people know.

Thank you again, and God bless.