People are Good

[BG and Gavin]

About six weeks ago a little poodle mix named Molly went missing.  She was spooked at the groomer’s when a fire truck went by and somehow got away, with no collar on.  The skittish three year old was rescued by her current owner Joanne, two years ago.  An army of volunteers responded to her owner’s plea to help find Molly.  A facebook page was formed with 1450 members.  People were searching in organized teams day and night.  Feeding stations were set up complete with surveillance in areas identified as "hot spots."  Joanne checked up on each and every lead.  The story was covered in the paper twice and Joanne appeared on a CBC radio program to talk about the remarkable way the community has come together and the support and assistance she has received from virtual strangers. 

I have been a very small part of this group, combing posts several times a day and searching out tips in my own area.  Some of the young members of the group are so invested, thye have plastered the city in posters, they sit vigil in shifts every night, they map out garbage night and cruise those neighbourhoods, they cook chickens and prepare special food to draw Molly out.  Joanne felt that Molly could survive on the street, eating trash to nourish her 11lb body, as she was living on the street before Joanne came into her life.  The biggest issue was that between the groomer’s where she was lost and home was a busy four-lane highway that would be tough for anyone to cross.  

Last night before bed I checked the FB group, as I do every night, only to find out that a construction worker at the side of the busy highway had discovered Molly’s lifeless body.  With tears in my eyes I hugged my own dog close.  I was irrationally sad and devastated over the death of a dog I had never met.  My heart ached for Joanne and her family and the young volunteers who were so invested in the search. 

But believe it or not, something good has come from this.  During the six week search. 17 other pets were located and reunited with the assistance of the group.  The FB group is now morphing into a support and resource group for anyone whose pets go missing in our area. 

People are good.  RIP Molly.

 

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh Donna....That is very sad news.   : (          Poor, frightened little pup.    I'm sorry.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I am sad to have to say that the little Sheltie we have been searching for was struck and killed by a car on Friday! It just breaks my heart that people kept seeing him and he was so skittish that no one could get near him.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

what a touching story with a bittersweet ending. RIP Molly. It seems she has served her purpose by inspiring so many other and helping bring many other lost pets home.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

What a touching story.  Thank you for posting.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh Donna, I hate to hear about this.  I wonder if he is trying to make his way back to the breeder's home?  PM me if you want any suggestions on how to execute a full on search blitz.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Donna, I hope someone finds that Sheltie. I hate to hear these stories. Please keep us updated.

[Donna K & Quincy]

BG, I cried reading this story because all this week we have been helping to look for a 5 year old Sheltie that has been missing since Oct 31. He got away when his owner fell and his collar came off. He was new to this owner, an older gentleman, as he was a retired stud dog that was just sold by a breeder. The dog was in a totally new situation and was not used to being walked and is unfamiliar with his surroundings. His owner is just devastated and they have been searching for this dog day and night. There were a couple of sightings on the first two days but nothing since. I go to sleep at night thinking about this poor little dog and wake up thinking about him. As of yet he has not been found. I really think that loving our own dogs so much has made us a lot more sensitive to the plight of others.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

How sad for Molly and her family, but this truly is a testament for what the human spirit is capable of.  Thanks for sharing this, and thanks for the work you do with this group.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I was hoping for some good news from all that positive help but sadly that was not to be although it is wonderful that all these people worked so hard and reunited all those other dogs in the meantime.  Lets hope that they can continue to harness all that wonderful work.

[Anna and Achilles]

Oh, so sad. Wonderful for the other dogs.