Posted by dogblog
Posted: December 15, 2010 - 4:43 pm
Dogblog note: This came as a press release from Alaska Dog News, and since I love dog stories with happy endings, I'm sharing it in its entirety with owner Linda Henning's permission.
Shadow finds his way home via Facebook
On Monday, December 13th, the Willow Dog Mushers president Erin McLarnon forwarded one of her many lost/found dog notices. It came from Nancy Crowden who lives 6 miles off of the Parks Hwy near mile 73 north of Willow. The tall, white and black husky was friendly and wearing a choke collar that Nancy replaced with a buckle collar to put him on a tie out in her yard. He wiggled out of the collar and Crowden said she had a real chase to capture him again, putting the choke collar back on so he could not escape again.
The same morning, Alaska Dog News posted the notice and photo on its Facebook page, as it does for many found and lost dogs. Comment after comment on Facebook wished luck in finding the dog’s owner and some were struggling with an emotional tug to take him into their home. “My husband will kill me, chop me up and put me in the bear bait pile, but I’m going to call anyway,” said one poster. “He looks like a great skijor dog” said another post.
This morning, McLarnon forwarded another email from Crowden, “I haven't found the old guy's owner yet. He's on Craigslist, and I have made a report on finding him at the shelter. I will keep him until Sunday, then..............
I'm hoping he doesn't go to Animal Control. He is very well behaved, I have him chained to my chicken coop fence, and he is calm, he makes no noise. Maybe someone could give him a home? I cannot keep him. If anyone would like to meet him, please give me a call. Thanks a lot! Nancy” with a phone number.
Alaska Dog News posted the photo with the new announcement and among the dozen heartfelt comments was the one you wait for. “Chelsea Hulk- I know that dog, I’m calling his owner right now!”. At the same time Alaska Dog News received an e-mail from Crowden stating that the owner had called and was on the way to her home. A friend had called the owner from Skagway! The dog’s name is Shadow.
Shadow’s adventure comes together from the posts and emails leading to the happy ending. He had escaped from home with 3 other dogs on Tuesday December 7th. The other dogs had returned home without Shadow and his owner had given up all hope of his return. 5 days later, 10 miles north and 6 miles from the highway, Shadow had shown up at Crowden’s house. He stayed there for 4 days, Alaska Dog News received the e-mail Monday, a fan in Skagway saw it on Wednesday, recognized the dog and called his owner who lived at mile 88 of the Parks Hwy. As Crowden said “ If only dogs could talk the tails [sic] they’d tell…”
Publisher of Alaska Dog News, Linda Henning says, “This is the kind of story that gets me jazzed up to publish Alaska Dog News. Some people may think we are just crazy dog people but it seems like there are more of us than I thought. The key to getting dogs back home is to get the word out quickly to as many people you can. We have a good network between the 700 Facebook fans on Alaska Dog News, Willow Dog Mushers Association with nearly 1000 e-mail contacts, and the shelters you just hope that someone will see it and know the dog.”
Dogs can be found weeks, even months after they are lost. If they are wearing collars with ID and have micro ID chips they can easily be reunited though dogs who didn’t have any identification have been reunited after weeks of searching. “It’s important to get the word out to dog owners to contact those resources, groups and organizations that can help reunite them with their pets.”
Source: http://community.adn.com/node/154803
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