Susie, schipperke-border collie mix

Oklahoma Sheriff's Department officer helps lost dog, now reunited with owner
Elisa Black-Taylor
May 28, 2013

An Oklahoma Sheriff's Department officer is credited with helping a lost dog find it's way to the shelter in the aftermath of last weeks tornadoes in Moore. Thanks to the photo of the dog going viral, this sweet little dog has been reunited with her owner.

The story began last week as officers and rescue crews were looking for survivors and came across a small black dog sitting on top of a pile of rubble. This rubble had been a home until a killer tornado ripped it apart. The officers weren't only surprised to find the dog alive, they were touched to learn the reason the dog was guarding the pile.

There was a man buried under the rubble, and it was believed to be that of her owner. Unfortunately, this victim didn't survive, and the little dog was taken to the emergency tornado animal shelter. The deputy who helped fell in love with her and was planning to adopt, should no one come forward. Which was unlikely, since everyone believed the owner had been killed by the tornado.

The photo went viral after being posted on the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department Facebook page, and on May 21 the pieces began to fall into place.

The lost dog was named Susie, and her owner wasn't dead. Susie, a 12-year old Schipperke-Border Collie mix had an owner named Curtis Collins who had been searching for her.

The night after Susie was found, Curtis' sister, Sheila Collins, posted on the OCSD Facebook page that the dog belonged to Curtis. She begged the department to please not adopt Susie out, as her brother was torn apart emotionally with his beloved dog missing. The deputy who found Susie then contacted Sheila and a reunion took place.

Susie and Curtis lived about half a mile from where she was found. No one knows how or why she was standing guard over a man in a house that was not her home. Perhaps Susie was saved by the man whose body she was guarding on the day she was found. We'll never know.

Curtis is overjoyed to have his dog back, and he and his other dog Max are planning to leave town. Curtis has asked that anyone touched by their story to make a donation to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society to assist with animals affected by last weeks storm.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/oklahoma-sheriff-s-department-officer-helps-lost-dog-now-reunited-with-owner