By Laura Ellsworth

Tweety is my newest “baby.” Above is her photo when she came into our lives at 8 weeks old. I titled this site “Pure Joy” because that is what I know all owners feel about their doodle puppies. The sweetness and indescribable feeling of love and connection cannot be put into words.

At eight months old, my husband let her outside about 8:00 AM. I was barely awake and he came running in the room to tell me that he could not find her! When he looked outside, the latch on the gate was broken and she had gotten out. We went by foot and by car. We talked to all who were walking their dogs, and we were so certain that she would not have gone far. The neighborhood has hills, lots of trees, and a busy street around the corner. In those hills, we hear coyotes howling every night. Needless to say, I was feeling frantic!

I called both of my daughters. One immediately started making flyers and was going to come and post them everywhere. The other suggested we continue our search by driving and calling her name. It was a very hot day and we looked for shady spots where she might rest.

The best idea my daughters had was to think locally, calling nearby shelters, and an amazing resource I can share is a free phone app called the Neighborhood App. Within one’s zip code, any photo or message of interest can be posted. The response was huge! There were concerned neighbors offering suggestions and all seemed very sincere. Hundreds of responses came in all day. By 4:00 p.m., we were quite weary and hoarse. I could not bear the thought of nightfall and any danger she could be in.

At 4:15 p.m., a message came from the Neighborhood App from an employee at a local pet hospital. She said to call or come in; she might have a lead. We were in the car, about one mile away. My stomach felt sick. Was she okay? injured? alive?

When we arrived, the hospital staff was friendly and compassionate toward the situation. We asked for the woman by name. She said that a young woman had come by in the morning with a red mini goldendoodle. They checked Tweety’s microchip and it was not registered. (I thought the breeder had registered the chip.) The woman left her contact information. I called and texted, sending photos so she could confirm that I was the owner. There was no reply for over two hours.

Finally, she replied! Tweety was not very far from home when the woman put her in her car. She brought her back at 6:30 p.m. When she opened the back of her car, I could see it was full of pet supplies, toys, and a new bag of dog food. She was obviously going to keep her if there were no inquiries from her visit.

I am hopeful this story inspires and serves as a learning experience for any dog owner. Losing a pet, especially a puppy or dog, can be a distressing experience. Here are some steps you can take to increase the chances of finding your lost pet:

1. Act Quickly: The sooner you start looking, the better your chances of finding your pet.
2. Search the Area: Start by thoroughly searching your home and then expand your search to the neighborhood. Dogs often wander close by, so check under porches, in bushes, and other hiding spots.
3. Use Recent Photos: Have a recent photo of your dog ready to show to people or to use in posters and online posts.
4. Inform Neighbors and Community Members: Let your neighbors know your dog is lost. They can keep an eye out and help spread the word.
5. Contact local animal shelters and vets: Notify all the local shelters, animal control agencies, and veterinary clinics. Visit them in person if possible, as descriptions of animals can sometimes be misunderstood over the phone.
6. Use Social Media and Online Platforms: Post about your lost pet on social media platforms, community forums, and lost pet websites. Include a photo, a description, where it was last seen, and your contact information.
7. Create Flyers and Posters: Make flyers with your dog’s photo, description, and contact details. Distribute them in your neighborhood, local parks, community centers, and pet stores.
8. Check Regularly: Regularly check and revisit places where your pet might return, like your home, previous homes, and familiar locations.
9. Offer a Reward: Sometimes offering a reward can motivate more people to look for your pet.
10. Don’t Give Up: Keep searching, and don’t lose hope. Dogs can be found days, weeks, or even months after they’ve gone missing.

Remember to keep your pet’s microchip and tag information up-to-date, as this can significantly increase the chances of a lost pet being returned to you. A microchip can be painlessly implanted in their neck. They can be registered Here

To help your dog find their way back home, you can implement several strategies, both as preventive measures and in the event they do get lost:

Preventive Measures

1. Microchip and ID Tags: Ensure your dog has a microchip and wears a collar with an ID tag. The microchip should be registered with your current contact information. This is crucial if someone finds your dog and takes them to a vet or shelter.
2. Training: Train your dog to respond to recall commands. Dogs who are well-trained in responding to their name or a specific call are more likely to return when they hear you calling them.
3. Familiarize Your Dog with the Area: Regular walks in the neighborhood can help your dog become familiar with the area, which might aid them in finding their way back if they wander off.
4. Keep Updated Photos: Have recent photos of your dog from various angles to help others identify them.

If Your Dog Is Lost

1. Leave Familiar Scents Outside: Place items that smell like home or you, such as a blanket or an article of your clothing, outside your house. Familiar scents can guide a dog back home.
2. Leave Out Water and Familiar Objects: Place a bowl of water and some of their favorite toys outside. Avoid leaving food, as it may attract other animals.
3. Search at Different Times of Day: Dogs may hide during the day and become more active at night, so it’s a good idea to search at different times.
4. Inform Neighbors and Local Community: Alert your neighbors and local community members. Sometimes dogs are found nearby, and having more people on the lookout can be helpful. I recommend downloading the Neighborhood App
5. Use Social Media and Online Platforms: Post about your lost pet on local social media groups and websites dedicated to finding lost pets.
6. Check with Local Animal Services and Shelters: Regularly check with local shelters and animal services, as someone may have brought your dog there.
7. Stay Positive and Keep Looking: Dogs have been known to find their way back after several days or even weeks, so maintain hope and keep searching.

Remember, prevention is key. Ensuring your dog is well-trained, properly tagged, and familiar with the local area can significantly increase the chances of them finding their way back home if they get lost.

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