Category Archives: Reunions

Annie’s 10 Day Adventure

Missing 3/20/2022 – 3/30/2022

One thing I’ve heard quite a few times in recovery is that the terrier breeds are really the toughest ones out there.  Being a Boston Terrier, and a puppy mill momma, Annie did not disappoint.

Annie

I had first reached out to Annie’s parents when I saw a post on one of the Yorkville pages.  Being as I live in Yorkville, I couldn’t not.  I spoke with her dad Mike. Found out she got spooked on a walk and around the corner from home and backed out of a harness.  I gave them some pointers and they had done quite a few things already; reached out to police, AC and vets in the area, had scent items and food out at home, and had gotten flyers made and up in the area.  I offered to put a camera up at home, but they informed me they had a Ring camera and were good.  

Over the next couple days I kept texting with Mike, offering pointers; lots of pointers.  I do try not to inundate owners with information but as we all know time is of the essence and the sooner some steps get done the better the chances of recovery.  But this case was a good reminder that the suggestions and points we give to owners fly out of my mouth with ease and sometimes, most times, it’s very overwhelming.  

Mike continued to inform me that they were good. So I respected that, as hard as it was. 

There were no sightings from Sunday until Wednesday the 23rd.  They had received some sightings in the subdivision right next to theirs, literally blocks from home.  Again, I reached out to Mike, explained the importance of getting the pertinent information, date/time, EXACT location and direction of travel.  He said thank you and I didn’t hear back.  

In the meantime, LDI had reached out to ask if anyone could assist with a lost dog in Yorkville, that the family had reached out to ask for a trap.  I mentioned I had talked with the owner and let them know I was still available. 

And in another piece of the puzzle, one of the women who called in a Wednesday sighting, Kim, had been communicating with Cindy, Annie’s mom.  She reached out to her friend Liz, who knew that Deb did recovery, and asked if Deb was available.  Deb knew that I had been reaching out to Mike, and made the connection.  

By Thursday, we had an active messenger chat going with Liz, Kim, Cindy, Deb, myself and Kelly, our friend who also offered to assist.  We finally had everyone communicating together, finally had figured out the sightings, and began to see Annie’s patterns, or at least where we thought she might be hanging out.  

She went missing from the Raintree Subdivision on the east side of Rt 47, south of Rt. 71.  By Wednesday morning, 8:30 am she had found herself on the west side of Rt. 47 approximately 1.5 miles as the crow flies.  By 9:30 am that same morning, she was back in her subdivision just blocks from home.  A second sighting in the same general area came in around 10:15 am.  That caller witnessed Annie in her frantic state, and in a frightened effort to escape, Annie ran back west across Rt. 47 a second time.  The caller followed in her car, taking a couple pictures along the way.  The last sighting was back in the area of the 8:30 am sighting, running full speed between a couple houses near Legion and Immanuel.  

The weather did not cooperate the next couple days; cold, rain, snow, wind.  More flyers had gone up in that general vicinity but unfortunately there were no sightings called in for three days.  Our hope was she had found some place to bed down and stay safe and warm.  There were plenty.  Open barns, under decks, abandoned properties.  That was great for her, tough for us!

We set up cameras and a feeding station at the last know sighting area.  Nothing on camera either. 

Sunday at approximately 1:00 pm, the owners received a call.  Annie was seen walking east on Ament Road near the cemetery.  The caller was in his car.  He stopped, she stopped, and then she turned, running full steam west bound on Ament Rd. heading toward Immanuel.  This caller again followed her.  She headed south on Immanuel and turned west bound the first chance she got on Deer Crossing Drive.  By the time he got to see which direction she went, he said she headed south, along a pond and over a berm.   She was gone again.  

Sightings Map

By this time Annie’s owners were catching on.  They were starting to understand what we meant by “survival mode” and what we meant by having them ask people not to follow her or chase her or call out to her.  It was pushing her further.  They went and handed out flyers to all properties in the surrounding areas, talked to property owners and made sure everyone was aware.  

I had stopped at one last house on Ament Road, near the cemetery, to drop off a flyer.  Later that evening, Mike and Cindy received a call from that property owner.  He had cameras.  Boy did he have cameras.  And after receiving the flyer, he checked them.  Annie had been on his property at noon on Saturday, at 8:00 am Sunday morning for at least a half hour, then seen almost in front of his house on Ament Sunday afternoon. 

We moved cameras and feeding stations to his property that night.  A trap was also placed out there and zip tied.  But Annie didn’t re-appear.  Neither Sunday night nor Monday morning.   A step behind her again.

Monday, our angel farmer Bob called.  Annie had been seen laying at the edge of an empty stable he had, laying on her side, sunning herself.  The odd thing is that just that morning, Annie’s mom had posted a picture in our chat of when they had first gotten her, laying on her side, sunning herself.  When he went in to get the flyer he had to call, she got up and trotted west into a field.  Cindy and Annie’s brother Paco headed that way.  When they got there, Cindy saw Annie.  She was on the far side of a horse corral at the property next door.  Paco decided to start barking at the horses, and this caught Annie’s attention.  At this point she started heading for her mom and Paco, but for reasons unknown, she stopped, and turned and trotted away once again.  I think this was when it really hitting her mom.  It is so emotional to see your dog, but not have her come to you, and watch her walk away.  Many of us understand this completely.  

We moved equipment that afternoon.  We put out a trap with a camera on it and one facing the entrance to the stable.  We had her bed, scent items, liquid smoke and really good food trailed from the fields she was seen in, to the stable.  We were ready for her.  At this point we weren’t sure if this was just a pass-through spot, or if she knew to return for shelter.  Either way we were ready.  

Annie was a no show that night.  But the next morning, the 29th, when her mom went to refresh the food, she saw Annie again.  At this time she was still on the property to the north.  Cindy tried again to lure Annie, using Paco on a 50’ rope, but she still wouldn’t come close enough to smell either of them.  Minutes after she was seen by Cindy, she was on camera!!  She didn’t go in the trap, but we could tell she wanted to. We didn’t get her on the camera facing the opening of the stable.  We were confused as to how she got in.  Then our angel farmer Bob saw her in the fields to the south of his house and she crossed to a property across the street with junk cars, open barns and trailers.  Mom went over there for one last attempt but Annie didn’t come out. 

Turns out there is a service door on the side of the stable with an actual doggie door.  We put a camera on that door as well.  Food was refreshed and using Deb’s magic gravy, a heated bowl (angel farmer Bob had power and an extension cord for us to use!) we made sure we had the best waiting for her.  We even built a little wind block because the forecast for Wednesday was rain and wind, 100% of the time, all day. 

Doggie Door to the stable

At 5:00 am on the 30th, Annie decided to check out the smells and food at the stable again.  She did enter through the doggie door just as we had suspected, and finally entered the trap!  She spent a good 9 minutes in there, eating everything in sight.  She was the stable a good ½ hour, then wandered off to the north to wherever her resting place was.  

Wednesday it rained.  All day.  Until 2:45pm or so when it finally broke.  Annie showed up at 2:53 pm. But the trap was zip locked open, and food hadn’t been refreshed since the morning but for a very small bit.  We were hoping to set up to trap that night, so wanted her hungry.  

We scrambled to find someone who was available to get there, to try to set the trap but not spook her away.  Kelly was closest and able to get there the quickest.  Deb was able to leave work shortly after and headed that way as well.  We were in touch with Kelly as she got there, but still hadn’t seen Annie leave the stable.  In fact, her head was buried once again in the bowl in the trap, licking every last morsel of warm food and gravy in there.  And that’s exactly where she was when Kelly walked up.  The trap was still zip tied, so Kelly’s quick wit told her block the entrance.  And that’s what she did.  Annie was startled to say the least at first, but Kelly was able to scoop her up and get her safely in the truck.   And we got to watch it on camera!  

At some point Kelly was going to swing by Mike and Cindy’s to pick up more scent items for that evening’s trapping.  Instead, she called her to let her know she was on the way…and surprised them with their baby girl!!!  Annie was safe after 10 days out!! 

Lessons learned: 

Fide Canem – Trust the dog.  Trust that they will take care of themselves.  Trust that if let to be, they will find food, shelter and water.  Annie traveled over 7 miles that we were aware of.  There were four days we had no idea where she was.  

Trust the process – but remember we can recite the process in our sleep.  Some people need time to absorb, time to trust.  We laughed about it after.  I believe the word Cindy and Mike used to describe me in the beginning was “fanatical”.  I get it.  I’m just glad they eventually allowed me and the crew to help.  

Reunion Photo

Many, many thanks to the Yorkville community, to Kim, Liz, and Mike and Cindy for trusting us, Katherine, Aynn, Chris for sightings and of course our angel farmer Bob.  We absolutely cannot do this with out the help of the village.  Once again.  

Deb, Kelly, Elaine and of course, Annie

Thank you Deb, Kelly & Elaine for sharing Annie’s story.

Frasier Story, as told by Frasier

Tuesday, January 26th, 2021, 1400 hrs.  Mom has me out to help shovel.  I don’t think so!  Then tells me it’s time for a walk. It’s a balmy 34 degrees and I’m feeling adventurous.  She tells me it’s time to switch leashes…she clicks, I twist…SUCCESS!  I’m free!!!! Run Frasier Run!!  Off to the field I go…WAIT! WHAT IS THIS COLD WHITE STUFF??  Ooop! Here she comes…let’s book it.  

I’ll head towards the houses…I think I know these ones.  We pass them on our walks.  Mom will know where to find me…lets see if she can catch me.  I think she’s calling for me.  But I’m having too much fun frolicking through the snow.  

Huh, I can’t see my Mom.  I’m sure she knows where to find me.  Dang these houses all look the same!  But I can sort of smell something familiar.  Just not quite sure where it’s coming from.  She still hasn’t found me, and it’s starting to get dark…and cold…

At last! I found my home.  I think. It’s really dark out now… MOM!! I’m here MOM.  Open up I’m here!!!  I’ll leave my footprints on the back patio so you know I was here!!  I’m done on my adventure Mom!  Please open the door! It’s cold…

Meanwhile, Frasier’s Mom sat, devastated she failed him.  She had food out by her front door, his blanket, his bed…If he visited that area it was hard to tell since the snow had been shoveled.  But he was definitely at the back door overnight.  His footprints were all over the patio, then went to the north, up a berm, into some trees and stopped at the very busy 2 lane road behind the house.  

Wednesday, January 27th, 2021, 0900 hrs.  I’m not sure what to do now. I’m a little hungry.  And cold.  I suppose I should look for a place to rest. I’ve been up all night trying to figure out what to do.  There’s a quiet area of woods right here so I’m going to explore them.  Ah ha!  I found a perfect spot.  Piles of wood, or something.  I can probably dig in here and rest for the day.  And maybe the night.  I’ve got to come up with a plan…

Thursday, January 28th, 2021, 1400 hrs.  DANG!  I’ve been spotted.  People saw me when they were on that busy road!  They got out of some big machine and called to me.  I had just woken from a nap under this warm deck on the front of this white house.  The sun was out and I was feeling good.  I must run!! 

I don’t know them.  I’m hiding back in the woods.  It’s dark again now but I see my mom.  She’s there with another person.  They are looking around my deck, maybe they see all my paw prints.  They put some big metal cage out.  What are they looking for?? What are they trying to catch??  Wait a minute…I know what that box is.  NO WAY…not gonna go near that again!  That thing almost ATE me last time!! (This was Frasier’s second time adventuring out)

Friday January 29th, 2021, 1130 hrs.  I found it, at least I think I did.  My home.  I’m not sure tho.  It kinda smells like my yard.  I’ll run around here again and leave my footprints. There’s food here.  Pieces of my favorite kibble and some treats!!  I’ll gobble all that up, but I’m still hungry.  I’ll just walk where there’s no snow right now, see if I can find some more food. It doesn’t hurt my feet as much.  I miss my Mom.  I hope she misses me too…

Little did Frasier know just what his mom was up to.  She had begun to plaster the area with flyers.  In fact, the people who saw him at the white house drove not ¼ mile and saw his flyer and called his mom.  A block away from home, someone working at the nearby farm had seen him walking down the street.  Another person saw a flyer and called to say they had seen him that day in the conifer trees that lined the back of the houses near where he lived.  People were starting to look for him. 

Friday, January 29th, 2020, 1900 hrs.  I found it again!!  I found my….what in the world??  Another big metal box?!?  Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!! Not happening.  I’m cold, I’m hungry but I am afraid of that thing!!!  I’d better go back to my safe spot. I’ve learned to go across the bigger road when it’s darker, and the big machines slow down.  I’m tired.  This isn’t really fun anymore. 

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Fraiser’s mom and team realized since he was trapped the first time he was trap shy.  They decided to camouflage the trap as much as possible.  The weather started to turn and a snow storm came in January 31st.  Two days, no sightings, but not uncommon with the storm that came through. 

February 4th, 2021 Camouflaged trap – straw was added as the weather was predicted to turn colder. 

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February 2, 2021 0200 hrs.  I’m here! Mom I’m here. I’m leaving my prints, I’m eating the food but I don’t like this thing on the porch. I want to come closer to the doors but that thing is new and even though it has food I really don’t like it.  

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Frasier continued to come overnight.  2/4/2021 he was on camera 0115 am, 0500 am, 1030 pm, and 2/5/2021 at 0530 am.  At this point the team knew there had to be a change of plans.  He wanted nothing to do with the box trap. 

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Brainstorming took place and it was decided a missy trap needed to be used.  The problem was, Fraiser was coming overnight, and as we all know, it’s difficult to take a trapped pup out of the missy if you aren’t experienced.  Mom was more than willing to stay up and watch the trap, but the closest recovery team member was over ½ hour away, and it was too cold to leave him in there that long.  What to do…

The team decided that the best thing to do is make him as comfortable as possible. He came to the sliding doors, he knew where home was, so it was decided the best plan was to build the missy trap OFF the sliding doors.  That way, if he did get trapped, his foster would be able to stand to the side and hopefully slide the door open without spooking him too much and he’d come in.  A team of mom’s close friends gathered the evening of 2/5/2021 to assemble the missy.  It was cold.  Time was of the essence.  The missy was set up with the door and two sides, and the back side against the sliding doors.  

The temperature had stated to plummet.  A George Foreman grill was used to keep the food hot and smelly along with a plug in heated bowl.  Frasier’s blanket, mom’s clothes and hot food were all out and ready by 1000 pm.

Frasier didn’t disappoint.  0500 am 2/6/2021.  Look closely.

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What the WHAT??? Really MOM???  NOPE, Not doing it… but man that food smells GOOOOOOD!!

One of the team members and Frasier’s mom stayed up most of the night of the 6th, taking turns to see if he showed.  Unfortunately, he didn’t get too close to the trap until early in the morning.  Still, he would not step in.  Everyone was getting concerned as the temperature on the 7th was predicted to be 5 above with the low at -9 degrees that night. 

24 hours later. 2/7/21 0400 am.

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I’m being brave mom!! I’m really trying!  I want to come home, but I’m scared! But I’m hungry!!

2/7/2021 9:00 pm temperature was hovering around zero degrees.

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Thank you for the food mom! I promise I’ll come back and eat more.  I promise I’ll try to get closer!

Frasier’s mom was ready.  One of the team members was ready.  Camera notifications were on full volume, phone’s close.  Bacon, hot dogs and warm food on the grill were ready.  It’s time!

Frasier didn’t disappoint.  2/8/2021 0200 am.  He at the cold food in the bowl, but the hot food was just too good to pass up.  Trap closed at 0221am.  FRASIER WAS SAFE. 

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Mom was able to slide the door open and he went right in. Never underestimate the survival skills and instincts of any dog.  Stories like these happen all the time.  Sometimes you just have to think outside the box and stay a step or two ahead.  Today marks his one-year trapaversary!  He’s come a long way. From shy and skittish to sitting on his mom’s lap enjoying scratches.  Happy to be home.  

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Thank you Elaine for sharing Frasier’s story!

It’s Me – Huntley!

6 towns and one city, over a 100 miles and over 4 months, and hundreds of flyers. Please take precautions with newly adopted pups and yours. Double Leash. Harness. Martingale collars. Pick some sort of secure method and let dogs adapt and acclamate. It’s me, Huntley. This time last year I was on the run. Going on month 3!

I am sharing my recovery story to help other owners and rescues understand what can happen to a pup that gets loose and the resiliency of animals. My story shows how important it is to treat a loose animal as lost and to demonstrate how crucial flyers, Social media, No chasing, No pursuing, follow up, dedicated volunteers, mapping, longevity and never giving up on your lost animal are so important. Seasons change. Weather changes. Animals appearances can change. Collars can come off. Leashes can be chewed off. Tags can fall off. But…..we keep at it.

Huntley was lost near Carol Stream in the middle of winter in January 2020. He was sighted alot initially, but got pushed by well meaning people trying to catch him. A few of us in recovery stepped in, along with the family and some dedicated volunteers. Flyers. Calls. Follow through. Food stations. Trail cams and over all daily everything “huntley”. The process moved forward as Huntley moved and was sighted, but moved at night to stay safe and started rare daytime sightings. Then poof he was gone.

We did our usual keep on flyering and moving forward. Fast forward, and we got alerted to Huntley possibly being in Winfield. Bingo! He was…. Found a nice neighborhood to stake as his own. Water. Woods. Cat food and he even started to run with the coyotes and stake his claim. We saw with our own eyes Huntley chasing coyotes and finding food resources. BUT, skittish and not giving in to lure. Resilient. Smart. We worked with residents to set up for Huntley. After some acclimation, this boy backed out of a 4ft trap. Stuck around for a few days then gone again. He also was starting to get to know us, as much as we were learning him. We began to understand his patterns and his quirks. In every area we pin pointed to how he came and went and knowing his feeding patterns. We continued our flyering out and being diligent. Huntley had some great people looking out for him, and all eyes on social media too. He used water sources. Tracks and woods and trails. He moved at night (smart pup)

On any given day, it was always something Huntley. The highs. The lows and the people and volunteers along the way willing up help in any small way.

Another rescuer was working on another pup near Elgin (and was later safely trapped) and didnt pick up that dog on camera, but rather a docked tail dog! They messaged me, there was our Huntley. In Elgin! We immediately set up our process there and had him coming to our feeding stations. Again staking his claim, even standing up to the coyotes (see a few photos attached). We didnt want to fool around with our smaller trap so we brought in our missy trap panels. We were out there daily and night time jumping deep into the recovery process. Slow but sure. Our smart boy knew it was us. He would sometimes wait at night. But, he knew something was up and bam! Gone. Again. After a week there he moved again. This time to Palatine. Through daily follow up we spoke to the railroad and a worker had seen him crossing tracks. A great group of rescuers near there helped us to get flyers up and feeding stations. But huntley had moved quickly. Weeks went by, nothing.

Huntley’s famous docked tail

Then…. we saw a post for a docked tail pup in Elk Grove Village coming to a home for a bit, near busse woods. People had been feeding him since he left Palatine. Our sweet boy Huntley was sure enough on camera. Again! And looking the chunkiest he had ever looked since January. Our process started again in EGV. He came. He saw. He left. This time, he stuck to the woods and tracks.

Huntley in Chicago

Fast forward more weeks and I woke up to a FB post on my feed of a retriever with a docked tail by train tracks in Chicago! Yep.. Huntley. We immediately moved our efforts that way and had the help with some amazing girls in the city too. Days and nights and seeing Huntley being chased. In alleys. North side. West and in between. This boy was out of his element. My phone was blowing up with sightings. But we trusted ourselves and the lost dog process/recovery. As we always learn, we also know there are methods that work. At this juncture , this dog had become our mission. Part of our days and nights. Huntley was on our minds always. Work and family took a back burner. There is no clear explanation of how a lost dog captures your heart (most do one way or another) and helping owners. Fosters. Rescues comes down to getting a pup or cat safe. In Chicago we flyered. We put up cams. Food. Calls. Daily work and long hours put in trying to keep Huntley safe. Sightings. Then narrowed his pattern and bam! Got him on cam. Food won. Now to keep him semi settled. As usual, Huntley had his own ideas. But our boy was frazzled. We saw it in his eyes and movements. The photos peope took. And for ourselves when we saw him at Horner Park on top a hillside. So close but not safe yet. This brought us into May. On May 13th, Huntley got pushed for the last time and found cover under a deck close to his feeding station. The homeowner was amazing and let us guide them to block all exits until we could get some trusted handlers there (we were working) And finally, he was brought to safety.

Over 4 months, 100 plus miles and 5 towns and one city later he was safe. Emotional physically and mentally. We share this story not only grateful for ALL involved no matter how big or small , but to give hope and encouragement to people when their animals get lost. Trust the process. Trust the dog. Do not chase loose dogs. Take advice from those of us that do recovery. Use social media and lost animal sites to aid you. Hugging huntley for the first time after him being safe only affirmed the why’s. I bawled like a baby. The adrenaline finally stopped. Thank you to everyone that helped and assisted. It takes teamwork and continuous follow through. Everyone involved were rockstars! Snow. Rain. Sun. Burbs. City. Just believe.

Huntley’s safe zone…. End of story

Thank you Rosanne for sharing this story about Huntley!

Smart Dog – How Sometimes a Negative is a Positive

Canada is a small pitbull mix who came from a rescue south of Illinois, around the Tennessee-Mississippi state line, but within a few hours after reaching the foster’s home, managed to escape.  It is believed that she has never had a home, and was a stray her whole life.  Prior to being captured the first time, she had recently had a litter of puppies.  She is estimated to be about a year old.  When we first got involved with Canada about 4 days after her escape, we were told that she wouldn’t go into a trap, and so in order to catch her the first time, they had to dart her.  With this in mind, we thought we were going to have to go straight to a large Missy trap.  The group attempting to catch her was a very dedicated and smart group of residents in the apartment complex, but they were not experienced in rescue or trapping, and needed advice.

When Canada got loose, sightings were being called in and posted on Facebook consistently.  She was not roaming far from where she escaped, but had been seen crossing very busy 4-lane roads during peak traffic.  However, she seemed to be centralized in an approximately 15-acre wetland area behind the apartment building, with 5 large ponds.  She was frequently observed crossing the ice on the pond nearest the building, and footprints were seen on the others.  The daytime temps were above freezing, and the pond near the building had a circulation pump at one end that kept ice from forming, so breaking through the ice was a strong concern.  The first action taken was to advise the residents to remove all sighting reports from Facebook, and stop sharing her location.

The residents had gotten 2 traps, 1 from Animal Control and 1 from TSC, and had set them up along with several feeding stations.  They had also bought a trail camera from a local pawn shop to see if they were getting any results.  They would check the feeding stations and traps every hour, then close the traps at night when they couldn’t check them. We right away reduced the feeding stations to only the trap locations, put out some fresh rotisserie chicken, and waited to see what would happen.  The next time the traps were checked, the food was gone out of the TSC trap, but it hadn’t triggered!  Not only that, but the trail camera failed as well.  So, we decided to get some good cameras on the traps, tie them open for a day to see what the behavior was, and go from there.  Surprisingly, the cameras showed us that she was walking right into the trap without hesitation.  It was go-time.  

Since the trap had failed before, we replaced it with a sturdier and more reliable trap, loaded it up with chicken, and waited.  Since the other trap was was very close to the building, and a path where residents walked their dogs daily, she would only come to that trap at night.  We decided to eliminate that feeding station and trap, and focused on the one furthest away from the building that she was more comfortable going to.  For 2 days we waited without her coming to the trap, but due to extremely cold temps we weren’t worried.  We did have one sighting during the day, but she didn’t approach the trap as someone was walking nearby.

By Friday morning, the temps started to climb, and we started to hope today was the day.  Set the trap, then settled back to wait.  We had decided to drop fresh food at the trap a little more frequently, so at lunchtime we went back out.  Timing is everything, Canada was starting to anticipate our arrival, and showed up at the trap right as we approached.  When someone else walked by she left, so we reset the trap, this time with chicken nuggets and hot dogs.  It didn’t take long to get a reaction, an hour later there she was.  But… she was smart!  Instead of going into the trap, she pulled the mats out and got the food that way!  Take 2 – reset the trap, more food, and sit back to wait.  We were patient, so was she.  At 11PM, she showed up again.  But now we started to see a pattern.  She was checking to see if the trap was set and changing her approach!  Multiple pictures showed her looking at the door, and the mechanism, and she would only go in as far as the trip plate, eat as much as she could, then back out again! Game on.  We strapped the food to the back of the trap and waited.   Again at 4AM, Canada came to eat food, checked to see if the trap was set, and would not go in any further than the trip plate.

OK – time to do a better job disguising the trip plate.  But time was going to be a critical factor, as a significant snowstorm was on the way.  Blankets and mats were either being pulled out or ignored.  If we put nothing on the floor she wouldn’t go in.  So, we decided to build a “floor” on the trap out of snow.  We ramped the snow up to the level of the trip plate.  Left a very lightweight blanket over the trip plate to keep any debris out, and lightly scattered snow over that.  A light bed of wood chips over that, and then the jackpot – chicken leg strapped to the ceiling of the trap, chicken thigh and hot dog with bun strapped directly on the back, and a smaller hotdog on the left side.  We were ready!  We waited for Canada, and then the snow started.  The weather was due to get very bad very quickly, and we didn’t want her trapped without a way to find shelter if we couldn’t get to her.  So we left the jackpot, and zip-tied the trap open to wait out the storm.  Within 30 minutes of that move, she showed up.  Carefully checked to see if the trap was set, and as soon as she saw it wasn’t, went right in.  Canada feasted that night!  But in the meantime, it was too dangerous for her rescue team to go out so we let her be. 

This is where a bad thing became good.  The snow was a wet heavy snow (approximately 12” total during the storm), and it was actually piling on top of the trap.  Around 3AM, the trail camera started going off every 30 seconds, and wouldn’t stop.  She had decided to shelter from the storm in the trap!  The trap was sheltered from the wind, and the snow was piling up around it.  It was making a nice little snow cave and giving her shelter.  At 7AM, a local resident went out and put more chicken in the trap.  Canada of course bolted, but 2 hours later was right back, and she sat inside the trap all day while the snow came down. At around 3, we decided that the roads were clear enough to drive to the location, even though it was still snowing.  Game back on, new fresh food in the trap, and 2 hours later we had her!

If it weren’t for the snowstorm, I don’t know that Canada would have been ready to go into that trap for a while, but thankfully she did it when she did!  Sore feet, and a few sores on her ears from the cold, but otherwise healthy and ready for recovery!

Waiting for transport

The series of photos show how Canada is checking out the trap. One smart girl!

What is this?
Letting Canada being comfortable with the trap. Open both doors of the trap to let her go in and out!


Thank you Stacey for sharing Canada’s story.

2/2021

We always say it takes a village. Every.Single.Time.

On 3/14/30 Roxy, a Cheweenie mix, went on a car ride with her mom to her work.  Unfortunately, she got away from her mom in a busy industrial park area, where there was a main road and a lot of construction going on.  She was wearing a collar with tags, sweater and dragging her leash. 

Her family put her on Lost Dogs Illinois, printed and distributed flyers and even brought out her favorite cousin dog to see if they could lure her out.  They had no luck, no calls.

Fast forward to 4/2/20.  A very observant man saw a small dog running along the ramp while he was exiting an expressway.  He tried to follow it and saw it go into a gas station parking lot. He went into the gas station and inquired about the dog and they told him they had been seeing the pup for 10 days and feeding it.  

Turns out this man had his own experience with a lost pup and knew who to reach out to in order to get this pup safe. 

A group text was started in order to get further information on where the dog had been seen, when, and what the feeding routine was.  

That night a trap and trail camera were set up.  The pup seemed to be on a daytime schedule but would start to normally be seen about 3:00 or 4:00 am.  Trap was zip tied at 11:00 PM but when leaving I happened to see her near the same ramp she was seen on earlier.  I turned around, reset the trap and waited. No show up to 12:00 am so the trap was zip tied open and baited with goodies.  

Once home I checked Helping Lost Pets to see what was missing from that area.  There she was. Roxy. Missing from about 1/3 mile north of where this pup was being seen.  But because it is a busy construction zone while they completely reconstruct a highway interchange, her owners didn’t do too much flyering to the south of that road, just mostly north.  Most people would not believe this little pup would be able to make it to the area she ended up at. 

4:27 am she showed up and ate everything in sight.  Only problem with that is I was planning on resetting and baiting at 5:15. I did, and she didn’t disappoint.  6:25 she showed up and was in the trap 2 minutes later. As soon as I saw her, I knew it was Roxy. I called her owner, no answer.  I text pictures and video, called a second time and then they called back. They could not believe I had her. She had been missing for 20 days!

I offered to drive her to her owners home so that we could let her out of the trap in a closed garage.  Roxy was chipped, but I was going to see what her reaction was once I got her home.  

There was no doubt she was home.  

Roxy’s story came together because of the Village we always mention.  From Mike who saw her on the ramp and stopped to inquire about her at Speedway, to Kathy and her crew who were feeding her, and to Mike’s wife Flo, who although they have lost their own dog, Fae, and have not yet found her, continues to reach out to, and has faith in, those of us who have the tools to complete the process.  

Never underestimate a dog’s instinct to survive.  Roxy lost her sweater, collar and leash at some point in those 20 days.  But she kept herself safe and found her resources, ‘til help arrived. Welcome home Roxy!!

Thank you Elaine!

Cooperation, Patience and Home Cookin’ Brings Bill Back Home

When Bill went missing from Countryside on July 30, 2017, his family posted on Lost Dogs Illinois right away. A LDI fan, Cindy, saw the post, shared it on Facebook, and then checked it again the next day.

“I saw a friend of the family was asking for help,” Cindy said. “I figured I could go talk to them and give a little advice. But I had no idea how involved I was about to become in Bill’s journey.”

Cindy met Bill’s mom, Liz, at the forest preserve where Bill had become lost. They spent the next week putting up flyers in the residential area that was next to the preserve. Cindy gave Liz pointers on what dogs in survival mode may do and go.

“It was heartbreaking when Bill crossed our paths three times that week, but [to ensure we could bring him in] we needed to let him go so he would settle down and not leave the area,” Cindy said.

Cindy and Liz set out feeding stations and cameras where Bill ran into the woods and wherever someone reported seeing Bill. Their big break came August 6, when a neighbor reported that Bill passed through his parents’ backyard that day.

Working with Frank G., Cindy and Bill’s family were able to set up a feeding station/trap/camera on the neighbor’s property and kept it under surveillance. Cameras showed Bill coming to the feeding station daily for another week but wary of entering the trap to take the food.

Not so the feral cats, skunk, opossum and 12 raccoons that Cindy and Frank wound up trapping and releasing instead. “Bill didn’t stand a chance of getting any food with all those critters going into the trap,” Cindy said.

Because Bill seemed to visit the trap at random hours after dark, Cindy decided to do a stakeout one night after 11 pm. After trapping and releasing a couple smaller animals, Cindy dozed off only to wake at 3:22 am to the sound of a dog barking. It was Bill – 16 days after he had run off into the woods.

Note:  To keep the wildlife from visiting the trap, Bill’s owner led a trail of fruit in the opposite direction to keep the wildlife occupied.

 

“It was pitch black so I couldn’t see a thing, not even the trap except for the glow-stick attached to its door,” Cindy said. “Bill barked on and off for a good 45 minutes. I was starting to wonder if he was warning other critters about the trap!”

Cindy placed more food inside the trap and waited two more hours in her car.

“Then I saw Bill cross the street,” Cindy said. “I hurried back to the trap, placed more food inside and got back in my car to wait for the sunrise. I figured the wildlife would be going to sleep then, and Bill would have his chance at the food.”

He was frustrated and hungry; we had chicken legs and smoked ham hocks in that trap and he had to watch the other critters go in, eat and leave him nothing,” Cindy said.

That morning, though, hunger won out over caution.

“Bill went back and forth to the trap several times to eat what he could without stepping in, then he barked at the trap to see what would happen,” Cindy said. “Nothing happened. So Bill sat by the trap, then lay down next to it, then finally took the gamble and went in, tripping the door.”

Cindy saw the glow stock on the trap door drop about 15 minutes later. No ‘possum or raccoon this time – it was Bill!

After calling Liz and her husband, Bob, with the good news and helping get Bill to the vet (“He smelled horrible!” Cindy said), Cindy looked at the images on the camera card. They showed why Bill had been barking so much.

“Bill’s story has a happy conclusion, butCindy knows it might have turned out differently if not for the cooperation, hard work, dedication and trust of Bill’s family.

“Thank you, Bob and Liz Skelly Giacomelli, for trusting me,” Cindy said.

Thank you, Cindy P., for sharing Bill’s Story!

 

Flyers and Social Media got Mattie home!

One happy rescurer and Mattie

Mattie was just starting to settle a little bit in her new adoptive home when she was startled by the screen door. She got loose from her family and bolted through their neighborhood. (Nylon lead, collar and choke collar still attached)

I reached out to the family who definitely needed assistance and they got Mattie registered with Lost Dogs Illinois and we generated a simple clear flyer to start sharing.

The last known sighting was that same evening going under a business gate in an industrial area. That was it.

The next day flyers were ordered and one call came on that she may have been seen same area. Owner was working so food and a trail camera were put out and we looked at the map to see the surrounding area which had some residential and larger homes and train tracks.

Next morning the owner got a call that a couple had seen mattie along their decline when their dogs were outside. Two mornings in a row. The wife checked Lost Dogs Illinois and found her flyer and called.

I was able to contact this couple and start a conversation and get a plan in place. Matties collar was still attached.

They were gracious enough to let us do whatever we needed with cameras and a feeding station and even came out to help at night. The next morning only coyotes were on camera but I ser up early. No mattie. Left to flyer just a bit then….

At 930 she came trotting around from the berm and houses. Ate some trailed food and left. But, she found food! Game changer.

Waited for a few more hours. Nothing. Flyered just a bit more but knowing where she was didn’t want to draw too much attention to her.

Left feeding station and around 2:30 the couple saw her again and she fully engaged the trap and ate a full bowl of food.

Knowing she may not be hungry for a night time trap attempt, I almost didnt go back. But I wanted to see how she acted around and in the trap.

We used a 5ft Tomahawk trap. And by the photos her leash was still partially out even when she (all 40 lbs of her) was all the way in. It did not tangle.

So close to sun down came and she returned but sat in the field but no interest in food. She left.

After sun down she came back and were safely able to trap her. We covered the trap. Moved the trap and her into a SUV and to the homeowners garage to safely get her out.

Flyers work. Lost Dogs Illinois works. Patience and knowledge help.

Thank you, Rosanne, for sharing Mattie’s story

🤗
Rosanne Marie

Pixxie

Reunion Photo

We adopted Pixxie from a foster just under three months ago.
I leashed my two girls up on their harnesses and went to meet a friend to walk.  Pixxie wasn’t used to walking on a leash when we got her.  
We were heading home after a half hour, and I went to switch the leash to my other hand, and dropped it!  Pixxie froze, but naturally my reaction was to step on the leash, in case she took off into the street!  Well, I had a plastic bag holder attached to the leash, and sure enough that is where I stepped, causing me to roll on it and fumble!  This was enough to scare her off, and there she went, across the street, and passed a neighbor who attempted to grab her.  She just kept running!!!
This neighborhood has no fences, so she could have been anywhere.  I headed in with Elle, and walked for a half hour.  I called Susan, the director of LDI, as I became numb, and she made some calls for help:   Volunteer Sarah posted her as lost on LDI,  Lisa, her daughter and her Beagle came to walk the area, and Jen and Julie came to get flyers posted for me!
Meanwhile, my daughter and my husband took off and walked the neighborhood, letting everyone know to call if they saw her.  Glad it was a Sunday.  
About 30 minutes later, I got the call from my daughter.  She heard a man talking.  “Are you mad at me?”  She went to see what was going on, and he was talking to Pixxie through his door.  She had gone onto his front porch, as it was covered an partially enclosed.  He was talking; she was growling…
We are so thankful she was found so fast, and for everyone jumping to help right away.  What a great community!
I know now, to take that extra precaution when walking Pixxie.  You never know what can set them off to run!  It was a very very long hour with a lot of emotions!

Jeanette, LDI Volunteer

People were more concerned about rehoming this “found” dog rather than trying to find his owner.

Thank you Ev for sharing King’s story in your own words….

If you don’t mind I want to share a story with you. It’s not a Illinois dog but a Mississippi dog. Not sure if you saw the post I originally shared on my page. A kind soul was traveling and found a shepherd mix in Bilxo MS, who a stranger in the parking lot said the dog was roaming for almost a month, so the finder brings him to a shelter in Altanta Ga as it was late at night when he found the dog and had to get to GA.  That shelter scanned and  found a chip but no owner registered so sent him on his way as they couldn’t take the dog.

He brings the dog to Chicago but can’t keep him so puts out a post to find him a new home.  He had over 150 messages to take the dog, so I made it my mission to try and find this dog’s family. I called the shelter King was adopted from in May 2011 Jackson County Animal Shelter in Gaultier MS (the info I found out from the chip). Mind you his chip now had an alert on it as being found. After conversation the shelter & I began with messaging so I could share the video and the info from the chip. They called me and said what would you like us to do. I said I don’t expect you to give me the owner information as I know you can’t but please contact the owner and the finder, Fredo.  I gave them his number.

Motions were set and this boy is going home to his true family. In the meantime I found a lost post for him, he was only missing less then a day when Fredo found him (again bad info from “strangers” can be so misleading to finders, who now think a dog has been roaming for a month!).   Turns out the son who made the lost post, had made a promise to his dad that he would love on and take good care of King, as his dad was dying and just recently passed. Poor King was probably looking for his dad, who I found out always took him in the car to this restaurant where he was found at to pick up food. Fredo in the meantime gave him to a woman, thankfully a good woman who knows he’s not hers to keep. I shiver to think had Fredo not friended me and accepted my messages poor King would of been lost from his family forever. ! Here’s the lost ad I found on King in the meantime while I was in the process with the shelter:


Placing Paws Rescue commitment to bring Ebony home!

 

Ebony is a rescue dog with Placing Paws Rescue, where I am a volunteer. She was adopted out and escaped from her new owners house less than a week after being adopted. I live close by, and as soon as she went missing me and other Placing Paws volunteers were out. We put up flyers like crazy, fielded sightings, walked for miles talking to people, feeding stations were set up with cameras.

Eventually a pattern emerged and we were able to figure out what to do and where. Placing Paws spared no expense in finding her, and I was NEVER going to give up on her until she was found. It was exhausting, hard work, but to me, and Placing Paws, worth every second. When she was caught ( in a live trap) she was loaded up and went straight to the vet to be checked out. She has a nasty gash in her shoulder which had already started healing and a fever, but she will be fine 🙂

We are lucky because we are a pretty tight, dedicated rescue group who truly love our animals. A true team effort.   Thank you for all you do to help get these fur babies home !!! 🙂

Thank you, Julie C, for sharing Ebony’s story.