Last Week was a crazy roller coaster of emotions.

I kid you not, it was awful. I spent a large portion of the week helping in the hunt for a friend’s 13-year old, Border Terrier, Lucy, in Dunnville. She went missing on Tuesday afternoon – maybe you saw some of the posts on Facebook.

With new windows being installed, Lucy got her nose out of joint and went on an unexpected walkabout. My friend didn’t clock that she’d pulled a Houdini until the early evening.

When we learned in the morning that she was missing, a group of Niagara-based friends (who also happen to be dog lovers) kicked into high gear. We combed the area, cut back undergrowth and pulled away vines from hydro poles and other bushes on the perimeter of her property. In that sweltering heat we were in jeans,  rain boots, and long sleeve shirts and doused in bug spray,  trying to get into the brush and down in the ditches to see if Lucy was hiding there, or worse, hurt. At one point, someone pointed out that I was standing in the midst of poison ivy and stinging nettles, mamma mia! It was brutal.

Despite the above, plus a failed drone attempt, and our inability to find tracker dogs, we didn’t give up. Finally, on Friday, just as we were planning a big search party, Lucy came home on her own!

This ordeal made me realize how unprepared many of us are for such situations. So, here’s a checklist to use as a resource, in the event your dog (god forbid) ever goes missing:

Pre-emptive actions:

Microchip Your Pet: Ensure your dog is microchipped and the information is up-to-date.

Keep a Clear Photo Ready: Have a recent, clear photo of your dog showing its full face and body without any people in it. This will be crucial for posters and social media.

Secure Your Dog During Home Repairs: If there’s work being done at your home, keep your dogs secured to prevent them from bolting.

Use a GPS Tracker: In rural areas, at a cottage or if you like to hike with your dog, a GPS tracker can be a lifesaver. AirTags are also an option in more populated areas. Just remember that AirTags are bluetooth trackers, not live GPS and only only compatible with Apple products. The tag has to connect to a nearby iDevice to show location. Here’s a link to an interesting article that goes through the pros and cons of both.

When you realize your dog is missing:

Organize a Search Party Immediately: Do not wait! The quicker you act, the better your chances of finding your dog. Usually dogs are found in a range of 5 square kms from their home. Start right away before they can get far.

Create and Distribute Flyers: Use your clear photo (see above) for flyers. Here’s a google doc flyer template. Keep to the basics and ask people to check around their property. (to use the template, make a copy of the file and start editing, or download in a different format). Print at least 50 -100 and give your flyer to anyone who’ll take it.

Post Flyers in Plastic Sleeves: To protect them from rain, slide flyers upside down into plastic sleeves before stapling them to poles.

Give your flyer to anyone who’ll take it: postal workers, municipal workers, delivery men, kids in the neighbourhood, grocery stores, pet stores etc. Have tape handy to post in shops and a staple gun to get them up at intersections. Put it in mailboxes around your area.

Inform Local Authorities: Let vets, the Humane Society, and SPCA know immediately, check in daily with Humane Society/SPCA.

Use Social Media: Have a point person to manage posts to Lost and Found groups on Facebook, and to keep checking comments for any info.

Seek Local Resources: Ask about available dog trackers, drone operators, and other resources.

Stay Positive: Dogs are resilient and resourceful, do not give up your you pup.

Take Care of Yourself: Remember to eat and rest, even if you don’t feel like it. You need your strength to stay focused and positive.

To sum it up – be prepared!

Having a pet go missing is a gut-wrenching experience, but being prepared can make a big difference. Keep this checklist handy and remember to act quickly, stay organized, and keep the faith. Your best friend is counting on you.

We got lucky with Lucy, I hope that you never have to go through this experience. And a quick note, she was fine, her ears were a little torn up and her paws were a bit sore, but other than that she was A-OK.

Cheers and wags,

Karen