Dog’s tale has happy ending
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
Pugsley is home! Where do I begin?
I got a call on Friday night from someone who had seen him. Apparently he had been spotted on the Hopkins Road, so we took off to the house. Unfortunately, it was dark and I am sure we scared him, so we went home without our pug but the next morning I took three dogs out looking. Accompanied by Brennen Griffeth, we walked the fields. I found nothing; tired and discouraged, I went home.
Later that day, a dear friend and fellow board member went back to the Hopkins Road and spoke to some young men; they said they had no idea a dog was missing but had heard a dog barking behind their house. Upon investigation, they found my pug. Did he give up easily? No! He had to run through the swamp, but thank goodness the boys were hot on his trail, and chasing him through the swamp, they finally caught him. It was truly a group effort — first Gloria Towle going door to door, then Kiefer Holton reporting that he and his friends had heard a dog barking, with Donald Smith, Brennen Griffeth, Kyle McCullough and Andrew Levesque all assisted in the chase.
I was so excited when I got the call; my girls and I loaded into my van and sped to the scene. There we found one dirty little pug, his back covered with scabs and his eyes ulcerated, but he is on the mend, home safe and sound. My knees were weak and all I could do is wander around crying and thanking everyone.
Pugsley is eating like a little piggy and has not left my side since his return home. I feel as though the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. People from Maine to Texas were holding their breath, wondering how this would play out. I can honestly say that before the phone call on Friday from the Beckwiths, I had given up hope of ever finding my dog. How could one little pug ever survive all alone in the “wild”? And yet he did. Pugsley lost almost 5 pounds but is doing fine.
I have been getting e-mail, Facebook messages and phone calls from so many people saying how happy they are and how they had been following our story — some people I don’t even know. This is what it is all about, people caring enough to help others, joining together to help. I cannot even imagine how many people drove the roads out here keeping a sharp eye out for my little pug. I am humbled, absolutely brought to my knees at the thought of it.
What have I learned from all of this? I have learned to have faith. Sometimes accidents happen and all we can do is our very best. Miracles do happen.
With all the excitement, I had hardly had time to breathe. I am so thankful that our shelter has such a capable staff. I am very proud to be part of such a great organization. We work very hard to reunite owners and their lost pets. It is very sad when an old dog or cat is found as a stray and nobody comes looking for it. It is our responsibility as pet guardians to give them a dignified ending to their lives, not just give up looking, assuming they wandered away to die. Our staff makes every effort to find the owners of strays that happen to come our way.
If you happen to visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society, be sure to take a moment, look around; the environment is clean and friendly, the animals content and very well cared for and the staff is willing to help in any way they can. The staff of the Central Aroostook Humane Society is a dedicated bunch, so please take the time and thank them. Through my whole experience with the loss of my pug, Betsy Hallett (shelter manager), Joe Ruggles (animal control officer) and their family searched and searched, while Sharon, Crystal and Heather held down the fort at the shelter. We as a community are very lucky to have such dedicated people looking after the critters of the County.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday or give us a call at 764-3441. Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
