Lost pets in the snow!

opossumqueen · February 2010

I've gotten two Fido alerts about lost pets today so I wanted to repost here.

There's a dog and a cat missing and you can see their pictures and info on the Fido website below. Just scroll down the page a little.
http://www.fidobrooklyn.org/rescue/adoption.html#lost

opossumqueen · February 2010

More info from FIPS. Apparently she's still lost and could be stuck in the park as she still had her leash on.

"She is wearing a pink coat and was dragging a retractable leash behind her. The mom is worried she has gotten herself snared in the woods!!! Needless to say, she is beside herself criss-crossing the park in this snow storm looking for her girl. If you are heading out for a snow walk with your own dog this afternoon or evening, please keep an eye out for little Sugar and if you find her, call the mom at [see Fido or FIPS link for #]."

hunter.gatherer · February 2010

I always carry an extra leash with me just in case, and keep track of missing dogs. I have a slew of plans and contingencies for what to do if I find one.

But there is some critical information being left out about Sugar (the French bulldog), which I found out when I spoke with an employee of Eva's Play Pups today.

The posters (online and in 3D) look like any other poster a worried owner would put up. BUT this dog was actually lost by the dogwalking company her owner hired to care for her (according to their employee, who seemed truthful to me), and they are not taking public responsibility for this negligence. I know this doesn't make any difference in terms of finding her, but I think it's something those of us committed to caring for our dogs need to know.

Full Disclosure: as many of you know, I am an independent dogwalker. Many people are under the impression that it's safer to go with companies than individuals, but I feel exactly the opposite (as do my clients, natch). You're better off going with any dogwalker who is in it for the long haul, but the companies tend to hire people who look at it as a temporary job - making this sort of tragedy more likely. Also with companies, they will sub in different walkers without telling the client (I saw this when I worked for a company, way back when).

Also Full Disclosure: I am NOT posting on this and other pet related topics because I'm looking for work. My walking schedule is full for the moment. But I do want to spread the word on behalf of my fellow walkers that as a rule, "independents" are more secure than companies. (It's really more like interdependent, since those of us who've been around a while back each other up).

I hope all domestic animals out there tonight find their way home soon.

hunter.gatherer · February 2010

Apparently I misunderstood what I was told today, so let me help to set the record straight. I posted this same thing on FIPS, on their post about Sugar, and Sugar's owner replied with this:

"Actually, this ISNT TRUE AT ALL. I am Sugar's owner and she was with me and my kids when she bolted. She was excited about the snow and didn't look back. Just to set the record straight. The main thing is that we haven't found her yet and we are desperate to get her back."

I replied to her reply with this, and want to post it here too:

"Well then an apology is in order. I was only going on the information I was given, and I must have misinterpreted it. This must mean that Eva's is going out of their way, as a company, to help find Sugar, so I'll do a 180 on any shade I might have cast their way. I still stand by what I said about independent dogwalkers and companies, in general though.

And I have been on the lookout for Sugar (in the park and elsewhere on my daily rounds) since notice broke. I will continue to do so.

But I apologize for my misunderstanding."

The important thing is to find her.

sewmoni · February 2010

H.G. - I was going to post in between your two posts to say that it's obvious from your posts that you care about the dogs you walk. Also, there may be some truth that dog walking agencies hire temps and people who might not be as dedicated.....however....FIDO and Craigslist are FULL of posting from owners looking for animals who just got away in a split second. It happens.

Your last line is the most valuable "The important thing is to find her".

hunter.gatherer · February 2010

Oh, I know it happens! When I was a kid my dog did it and we spent all night before we found her.

I was never a Boy Scout, but I try to be prepared anyway.

opossumqueen · February 2010

I imagine someone found this little dog and it's probably safe inside. Hopefully whoever found it or one of their friends uses the internet and we see a reunion soon.

I walk around the woods and unsavory parts of the park with my dog almost every day and it's hard to imagine a friendly, non-mute dog could go unnoticed even if it's leash was caught. There are tons of people out in the park that will take in a dog that seems to have no owner, and hopefully whoever that was does the right thing and returns the dog.

The snow makes the dogs crazy and do things like take off in an excited frenzy. Mine is like a different dog in the snow.

doublediamond · February 2010

Growing up, I was always told that if I found a lost dog, to put up fliers and if that didn't work, take the dog to the animal shelter.

Obviously, this was before internet time, but if the people who found the dog are older, perhaps they still subscribe to this way of thinking.

doublediamond · February 2010

Looks like the dog was stolen: http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/8/33_08_sb_sugar_is_missing.html

opossumqueen · February 2010

The cat was found according to FIDO!

pitu · February 2010

doublediamond wrote: Looks like the dog was stolen: http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/8/33_08_sb_sugar_is_missing.html

Or someone saw the flyer and called to extort, with or without the dog. My dog expert says you have to watch out when posting notices that promise rewards.

Poor Sugar...

opossumqueen · February 2010

Sugar is home!

Sounds to me like the dog-napper realized this was not going to end well for him and tied the dog back in the park, where she was found.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/02/16/2010-02-16_found_lost_bklyn_pup_sugar_held_for_ransom_then_returned_to_family_by_good_samar.html

Lost pets in the snow!

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