I don't normally share stories outside of my primary topics on here, but I had an enlightening experience today and it suddenly made me realize how this topic
is relevant!
A few years ago our beagles got out, I tried to catch them, and a woman in a red car with dark hair beat me to them. She put them in her car, and drove away. Later she called and said that she was finding them a better home than ours. I was crushed, angry, felt sick to my stomach, and so many other ill feelings washed over me. That was the worst day that year, I searched for weeks and weeks (in truth I still check craigslist once a week and the humane society's found and lost section at least as often-- even though it's been almost two years). Their face markings, random spots on their bellies and backs permanently ingrained in my mind. There is a police report out on this incident, lost files at our humane society and every other one in our state and neighboring states. I even have a Facebook and Twitter called Bring Donald and Daisy home, which I don't update very often, but it's there. I remember every detail of that day, from how hot and dry it was, the way my legs felt as I chased them down the interstate, the only woman who stopped to help me -Amber was her name-, to falling into the arms of two old women at the humane society as I burst into tears while telling them what had happened. For weeks/months after pouring all of my energy into trying to find my Donald and Daisy, and bringing justice to that woman. All I could think was "how dare she?!" In fact, telling this now still makes me emotional, and angry at the same time. Truly one of my least favorite experiences.
Now today, as I was driving around the parking lot that I work in, thinking about flowers; I saw two little bitty beagles not more than 6 months old come running through. A woman in pursuit of them trying to get their attention before they crossed a very busy street, and risking her own well being as they crossed that busy street. I jumped from my car and tried to call for them before they got to the street, and motioned for cars to slow down as they crossed -safely thank goodness! I stood with the woman as we watched them frolic in the field across the street hoping they wouldn't try to cross again. At that moment I suddenly understood exactly how to catch these two escape artists. I bid the woman, who's dogs they were not, farewell; and told her I would drive down there and see if I could at the very least keep them out of the road. I drove down two blocks and noticed they were obviously wearing out and looking for places to tinkle. I pulled over and in a high-pitched happy voice called for the one who appeared to be the ring leader, and the female puppy. She came right to me. I told her she was a good girl and put her in my back seat. A well meaning but unaware man was happily trying to chase down the other pup. I got in my car and drove up one block and found that he and another woman had the puppy cornered by a car and this dog being the male was reluctant to come to us. After a short breather he took off again back toward the street they crossed together. So I drove back to the parking lot with the female puppy, as she happily watched out the window.
He again crossed the street safely, and came back to a tree. He sniffed around and tinkled, then chased a scent trail in a little circle. When I got out of my car I took the same high-pitched happy voice and he stopped to look at me. Now that I had his attention I opened the door to my car and let his playmate out, and held her collar. I just needed them both safe then I would call their people hoping the number would be on the tags that I had yet to look at. He saw her and immediately came trotting over to greet her and she was elated to see him again too. I slowly rubbed his head and chin then grabbed his collar. Success!! I swept his collar around so I could see the tag "Donald". You might think this name would make me sad, but it instantly filled my heart with joy, I swept her collar around to see her tag "Daisy". Then I looked at their precious little faces and realized they have the exact little markings as my Daisy and Donald. It was like going back in time. Although they were clearly younger and smaller than my beagles the day they galloped off into the sunset that last day. That minute, looking at their bathed little coats and trimmed nails I knew their people were sick trying to find them. I looked at the number, but didn't have to, because that moment a red car pulled up. The woman leaped out of the car, tears streaming down her face. Her hair was wet, mascara staining her cheeks and her feet bare. And I knew exactly why, her little escape artists found a hole and fled and she didn't stop to do anything as she leaped into her car panicking. She said she'd been driving around for an hour trying to catch up to them and lost site of them a few blocks away. She had drove down that busy street 7 or 8 times. And She just happened to look over and see me kneeling beside them.
The puppies were so happy to see her that one piddled in excitement when she walked around her car. They nearly dragged me to her car door and bounded inside like two babies ready to go home.
A happy ending for Donald and Daisy and their people!
Now as far as my beagles, at this point I wouldn't dream of ripping them from a family who loves them. However, I am still seeking justice. But what I learned is invaluable, so much so that I had to share it with you.
Moral of the story: NEVER chase a lost dog and always make every effort to return them to their home, it's never your place to judge!
Sign up for our free newsletter!
