My dog is missing!

[Sookie]

Hi all, newbie here!

I have a 14 y/o Chihuahua and he went missing a couple of days ago. Children and grandchildren have canvassed the neighborhood but he's not around. I have called ALL the animal welfare places and they don't have him. He was very fragile at 14 and had a large hernia that the doctor wouldn't operate on because his heart murmur was too bad. I don't know what else to do!

Someone said he is probably within 50 yards of the house, and I believe that's true because he never went anywhere except into the yard and back up the stairs into the air-conditioning. That was his life.

My little granddaughter, Franny, is obsessed with finding him. That's all she talks about, "Where's Toby, I wanna find Toby!"

[maddolee]

(((HUGS))) I hope you find him very soon. I know what its like to have a missing dog and its very scary. Keep us posted!

[Canice]

Oh, Sookie, I am so sorry to hear that! I've been there, too, and it is a horrible, distressing feeling. Could a behaviorist or the vet maybe consult you on where to look next? Maybe there are behavior patterns in a dog his age? Or someone like Sherlock Bones (http://www.sherlockbones.com/)? My heart really goes out to you. :(

[RunnerKim]

(((Sookie))) How horrible. I hope you find him too. I've heard leaving a jacket or shirt oout with your smell on it can help. Mostly this is if you're in strange location vs. the dog getting lost from home, but maybe with an older dog it might help too. This should be a "dirty" clothing so it has your scent.

Kim

[manetta]

How terrible for you and your family! Have you put up signs in and around your neighborhood or placed an ad in your local newspaper? Maybe offer a reward?

Sending good thoughts your way. Please keep us posted.

[mbrogier]

I'm so sorry. Do you have water near you anywhere? Dogs breathe better around water and tend to go there when they have trouble breathing. I really hate having to type this, but I know you want suggestions for where to look, and that is where I would look next. I'm sending you hugs.

[KristiB]

I hope he turns up!

Hugs!

[clairea]

My heart goes out to you. I do have a story that may give you some hope, though. Our 15 yo dog got lost last December. Like you, we looked everywhere, put up signs, checked all the pounds, etc. with no luck. It was extremely cold here and she was gone for 2 weeks -- finally she turned up at animal control without her collar :confused: , skinny and filthy but otherwise fine. I have no idea how she survived on her own, but I hope you have a similar happy ending.

Claire

[Jewel]

I feel for you! :( My beloved Siberian Husky dug under our fence last January and was gone for six terrifying nights. We immediately made up a flyer on our computer with her photo in the middle of it and taped it on every store window within a 10 mile radius that would allow us to do it. Sasha was wearing a collar with a tag that had her name and our phone number, but she wouldn't allow anyone to get close to her. She was sighted as far as 7 miles away. :eek:

Animal Control told us that they are usually within a mile from home. They advised us to walk our other dog around the neighborhood, because Sasha would recognize Riley's scent. They also advised putting a piece of 'worn' and scented clothing on our driveway. They said the porch was too far away, it needed to be streetside so if she ran by she'd smell it.

On the seventh day at 5:45am we got a phone call from a young man two blocks away who was opening up his little Espresso stand in the local Safeway parking lot, and he saw Sasha speed through...he recognized her from the flyer that was in their window! :) He called us and my husband immediately took off outside with the leash. Within 15 minutes he found her under a carport two blocks away. She came to him immediately, whimpering and obviously very sorry for her deception. ;) My husband stopped by the Espresso Stand that morning and gave the guy a $40 reward.

Getting the photo and contact information out there is very important. Don't stop looking! He's trying to get home, and needs some help! Good luck!

[doggerham]

Hugs to you Sookie, and keep looking!

Please keep us updated when you have a minute.

Amy

[CindyWeightWatcher]

My heart goes out to you...keep looking and good luck!

[CL addict]

Poor little Toby! :( You must be heartsick. I keep looking back at this thread hoping to see that you've found him, but no such luck yet.
I'm a big dog lover and can't stand the thought of someone losing their beloved pet. Hope you have good news soon!

Jeanette

[imloulou]

I am so sorry about your little dog. Have you placed an ad in your newspaper for your Toby...it is usually free for missing or found animal ads.

Does he have his collar on? We have contacted quite a few pet owners using the tag # from the animal shelter.

Send out flyers and talk to neighbors so everyone can keep an eye out for him.

Good luck and please let us know if you find him...our animals trulyare our family!

And welcome to the boards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SusanL]

My nephew and his wife lost their dog in the Poconos on the Fourth of July, the neighbor set off fireworks and he was gone. They live in Montgomery County, not close to where they lost their dog. They have been putting posters, ads in the newspapers, and the Post Office. I hope you get back your Toby back and our Bernard, too!!

[Sookie]

Thanks to everyone for your replies and support. I appreciate that! I thought I would give this the week-end, time to search, etc. I will let you all know if he comes home.

But, so far no luck. I can't bear to think of how scared he must be. He doesn't have a tag, but he has a green collar that is embroidered with his name and phone number.

We haven't given up hope and the kids have drawn flyers with what I hope people will recognize as Toby on them. :)