Monday 8 April 2013

A Canine Call to Action…

Nemo rearing to go!
Imagine getting a frantic call from your neighbors to ask if you can help look for their missing dog. Yup, that’s the call I got last week. Now before I go on, this dog – a 10 month-old poodle/shih tzu mix named Pushi – was lost somewhere in an 18 acre forest. There’s still quite a lot of snow on the ground, which makes you feel like you’re in a video game trudging across the terrain and jumping obstacles. Not fun. My neighbor and her hubby had already combed the area where Pushi was last seen for two hours. Her request was a total no-brainer. Of course I would help! I dressed for the task and packed up my trusty yellow Labrador Nemo in the back of my car, and off we drove to my neighbor’s property.

If you’ve ever lost a pet, you’d know that sickly feeling in the pit of your stomach you get when a pet goes missing. To many people, pets are like their children, a family member who gives nothing but unconditional love to their owners. When I used to work at the local animal shelter, I’ve seen people break down in sobbing relief when they are reunited with their pets. It’s a humbling experience, and you end up hugging them and telling them everything is all right. Not wanting my neighbor to endure the pain of losing her puppy, I said a quick prayer to Saint Antony (the saint of lost things – trust me it works) and together with Nemo, I let him loose to search for their lost dog.
As we followed my dog, going this way and that, negotiating the uneven ground, I heard a faint bark and stopped. Nemo must’ve heard it too and high-tailed it toward a group of pine trees. There we found Pushi, her leash all tangled up around the trees. She was both frightened and happy to see her mistress after her ordeal. I’m not sure what she thought of Nemo in that moment, as he’s ten times her size! My neighbor was beyond grateful and asked me in for a glass of scotch to celebrate our victory finding Pushi. No arm twisting was required – she had me at scotch! Of course Nemo was rewarded with treats and attention, though I believe he just thought it was more of a game than a duty.

It’s amazing how our pets connect us to our humanness. That we would do anything for them, and
Pushi - seven hours after her ordeal
they would do anything for us. Love and loyalty can come in all forms. Mine happens to be a four-legged, 100 pound yellow Labrador with an insatiable desire for Milk Bone biscuits and walks in the forest. As for Pushi’s adventure, it turned out a ‘happily ever after’ for her and her family. Thank you, Nemo and Saint Antony!

16 comments:

  1. Lovely story Sharon. Nemo deserves a great big hug.

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  2. You and Nemo did a good thing, Sharon. Pushi is a lucky pup.

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  3. Thank goodness for Nemo and Saint Antony...what a team!

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  4. I'm so glad you and Nemo found Pushi. I hate lost pets. Or dumped pets, or cats that don't come to dinner every night so I stay up worrying about whether or not a coyote ate her.

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    1. I know, I've seen a lot of dumped pets come through the animal shelter too. I know this sounds harsh, but I'd rather find my pet dead rather than worrying about its fate. We all need closure. Thanks for stopping by Cordelia!

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  5. Cheers, Jane, Sloane, and Joanna! Dogs are truly our best friends.

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  6. Cute! That poor thing! Glad you found her. :)

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  7. Great post Sharon! I'm so glad it had a happy ending!

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  8. If it weren't for you and Nemo, poor Pushi might have become coyote dinner. True heroes!!

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    1. Actually, that's very true, Rita. My neighbours were also worried about foxes and owls. There's no need to fear...Nemo-dog is here! Wink.

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  9. Wonderful Nemo! I'm sure there's a story to be written from this experience, Sharon. :-)

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    1. Funnily enough, the book my agents have is called 'LOST AND FOUND' - I kid you not! It's about an adolescent girl who starting communicating with the shelter animals she's put in charge of. Cheers, Amaleen!

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  10. Good job, Nemo! And you too, Sharon. So glad you saved Pushi from becoming someone else's dinner. There is nothing worse than losing an animal and never learning its fate. So glad this story had a happy ending! Thanks for sharing. :-)

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    1. Anytime, Linda, I know many people love these happy ending stories! Cheers for surfing by my animal loving friend!

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