Deacon, GSD

Dog lost in Virginia is found in DeLand
Microchip helps reunite German shepherd, owners
By Pat Hatfield, Beacon Staff Writer
Feb 22, 2010 - 4:38:45pm

This is a dog story about a German shepherd named Deacon. In an almost catlike manner, he's had several lives, and lived to tell about them.

The mysterious part of Deacon's story is how he disappeared the week before Christmas from his home in Stuart, Va., and how he came to resurface two months later, in DeLand.

Deacon's owners, Pamela and Keith Holt, fretted and searched during those two months. The dog was not to be found.

That is, until a DeLand Police Department Community Service Aide was dispatched to the 1000 block of East New York Avenue on Feb. 17, in response to a call about two stray dogs. The pooches were running in and out of traffic.

The two dogs were taken to the city's Second Chance Animal Shelter. The next day, Animal Control Officer Gary Thomas checked out the dogs and found a microchip on one, a German shepherd.

Thomas traced the microchip information and found the dog was registered to Pamela Holt, who had adopted the dog recently in Statesville, N.C., rescuing him life and possible death at a shelter. Holt had taken Deacon to Stuart as a Christmas present for her husband, Keith.

Two days after Deacon was identified through his microchip, Pamela and Keith Holt arrived in DeLand to reclaim their dog.

She wrote a letter stating, "After many days of searching and contacting authorities and neighbors our family had given up on ever seeing our beloved dog again."

On Feb. 19, Pamela Holt got the call from Officer Thomas.

Thomas and other members of the DeLand Police Department gave the Holts a warm welcome on Feb. 20, she said.

We Help Animals President Karen Clark gave the couple a $77 donation to help offset traveling expenses. The organization also sprang for a night's stay in a local hotel, so the Holts and Deacon would be rested before starting their 10-hour drive home.

West Volusia Humane Society President Gloria Thomas donated food, treats, toys, water and other dog essentials for the trip.

"In conclusion, we are extremely grateful for the people who helped us retrieve our dog in order for us to bring him home safely," Pamela Holt wrote. "The world is a better place for having the kind and caring people that we were fortunate to meet in Deland, Florida."

Due to a microchip and those caring people, all ended well for Deacon.

Here's how microchipping works: A tiny chip containing the pet’s address and contact information is inserted beneath the pet's skin. The chip is linked to a database, so the information can be updated. Most vets will equip pets with microchips. The cost runs $30-$35. The chips are usually placed in the pet's shoulder area, staff at FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital told The Beacon.

Source: http://www.beacononlinenews.com/news/daily/2424?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Deland-DeltonaBeaconNews+(DeLand-Deltona+Beacon+News)

Another version of the story at: http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/west-volusia/2010/02/25/virginia-dog-found-in-deland-619-miles-from-his-home.html