Ily

Missing dog Ily found after surviving 65 days in Arizona desert, reunited with owner
By: Adam Slinger
Posted: 08/27/2013


PHOENIX - A lost puppy missing for more than two months in the desert was finally found late Monday night north of Anthem.

In late June, 1-year-old Ily ran off Interstate 17 after a car crash seriously injured the dog’s owner and killed another dog in the vehicle.

“[Ily] went through the windshield and ran,” said Rose Sharman, Ily’s owner.

Sharman, who also went through the windshield, is still recovering and using a wheelchair until she’s able to walk again. She told ABC15 she never gave up hope that Ily was still alive.

“I missed her the most at night because she hugged me all night,” said Sharman.

A small army of volunteers searched the desert looking for the puppy, but there were no sightings until about a week ago, she said.

Witnesses reported seeing two dogs traveling together about three miles from the crash scene.

Volunteers took turns playing “watch dog”, baiting a cage with chicken and listening for sounds of activity over a baby monitor.

“We heard some clanking noises,” said volunteers Lynn Drewniany and Guy Bowman. “And then there was a bark.”

“I told them to send me a picture,” Sharman said, “I couldn’t believe it was her.”

Ily, who previously weighed around 55 pounds, now only weighs about 30 pounds. Sharman says other than the weight loss and dehydration, the puppy is in good shape.

“She jumped on my lap and wagged her tail and started crying,” Sharman said of the reunion.

Sharman believes that Ily survived because she paired up with another stray dog in the desert.



The other stray, nicknamed Buddy, was also rescued and is currently under quarantine at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. Workers at the shelter were able to locate Buddy's original owner, who will be able to take him home on Friday.

Source: http://www.abc15.com//dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/north_phoenix/Missing-dog-Ily-found-after-surviving-65-days-in-Arizona-desert-reunited-with-owner