This is our family dog, Walter. Walter and our family went through some serious issues this week. I share this here to help save even one dog. Sunday when we arrived home from Church my husband and I sat down for breakfast. Our two youngest children went out into the yard to play. Our yard has fence all around and it is 6 feet high. We never thought ANYTHING would happen without our knowledge in that yard. But two young people apparently decided to leave the yard and so did Walter. Evidence of this was found from the Legos that were left on the wrong side of the fence. Just before noon, we were packing up to leave for our church picnic. When we called in Walter. There was no response. We called and called. Nothing. We went out and looked. No Walter. Walter is 7 years old and the last time he left our yard, he went a few houses down and we found him, that was years ago.This time we could not locate him. We looked all over the yard, did something happen to him? All around the block. Nothing. Not knowing what to do, my husband suggested we go to the picnic and maybe Walter would come home on his own. Shortly after arriving at the Church, we learned Walter had been spotted. Wayyyy away from home! We were stunned. My husband immediately got in the car and went looking for him. Nothing. We drove around and walked around for A LONG LONG time looking for him. Finally my husband said, lets go home and put him on Silver Creek and Beyond. Great idea! So we came home and when I clicked onto the page, there was his face! Oh our boy had been found. But the people only held onto him for a few hours. And then called the dog warden to have him picked up. By the time we saw it, it was too late. The next things that followed were a nightmare for us. We found the website that told us how to claim our lost dog. 1.) He had to have a license, if he was not licensed, he had to get licensed BEFORE he was released back to us. 2.) That meant that if a dog had an expired rabies vaccine, you had to FIND A VET that would travel to the shelter and give the shot. We had been caught up in the daily grind of things and Walter was not up to date, yes, our own fault, but nonetheless, now another high cost expense. 3.) Then there is the fee to the shelter. 4.) And the processing fee It cost us well over a hundred dollars to get our family member back. What have I learned from this? Make sure your dogs are licensed and current with their rabies shot. I know this must seem obvious to some, but honestly it was not to me. Make sure they have tags on their collar. The collar we have for Walter never stays on. I am currently looking into a better fitting collar. If you find a lost dog, do your best to keep it with you as long as possible. Most likely that family is out looking for their pet! I never thought to check the computer I went out to look for our boy. The dog warden will waste no time taking him to the pound. My BIGGEST LESSON I learned from all this. Do NOT take your pets for granted. They are only given to us for a short, and unknown period of time. You never know what might happen to them or you. Love them as best you can. And then -- love them more! Walter came home Monday afternoon. We are thrilled to have him home. He was terribly missed by all. I honestly thank God for this very, very tough, heart breaking lesson about love.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 14:08:19 +0000
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