Rescued: The Incredible Journey of a Dog Missing for Nearly 7 Years in the Wild
A resilient stray dog, missing for almost 7 years, is finally rescued in an English village Thanks to the incredible efforts of an animal rescue and a caring community, this 12-year-old canine is now safe and reunited with its grateful owners
A 12-year-old stray dog discovered wandering in an English village was found to have been missing for multiple years, until an animal rescue and the caring community that fed her came together to bring her to safety. Volunteer nonprofit Lost Dog Recovery UK South shared in a Facebook post that someone reported seeing a small black dog running in the road near Crawley Down, a village in West Sussex, England, back in November.
"The organization stated in a social media post on December 11 that they stopped traffic to allow the dog to disappear into the woodland, knowing not to follow, and returned as soon as possible to leave food. According to the post, the person inquired about the Patterdale terrier and discovered that locals were familiar with and occasionally fed the animal."
The nonprofit decided to take over the camera and leave food for the dog, despite the possibility that it may have been a pet allowed to wander. The camera captured the dog returning to the same spot multiple times over the course of three days, and on the third day, it seemed as though the dog was expecting the arrival of the rescue group with her dinner.
The Lost Dog Recovery UK South received information from locals indicating that the dog was "in a good state, well-fed and taken care of." However, it was believed that the dog had been wandering for approximately ten years, a rough estimate that the rescue later discovered to be incorrect.
After establishing a feeding schedule for the dog over the course of a week, the rescue noticed that the dog had gray eyebrows and muzzle during their daytime visits for meals, confirming that she was a senior dog.
The volunteers set a trap for the dog on December 9, paired with a delicious meal: a warm roast chicken topped with paté. "Knowing our little stray's preferences, we were prepared with a meal we knew she would like," the nonprofit explained. That night, she approached the trap.
"Keeping a close watch over her shoulder and proceeding cautiously, she carefully entered the trap, eventually stepping on the footplate and activating the door," the Facebook post read.
Siska, a baby orangutan, is held be her mother, Eirina.
Courtesy Denver Zoo
The rescue reported that she was understandably shocked and scared, but also very gentle.
The microchip revealed that the dog's name is Rose and she went missing in March 2017, just 24 hours after being adopted. Further investigation by the rescue revealed that Rose had been spotted in the first 10 days after she disappeared, but the trail then went cold.
"We may never know the exact time when she arrived in Crawley Down, but what is certain is that she is now safe and will no longer have to fend for herself in the cold and wet during her senior years," stated the post.
Although the initial owners of Rose were reached out to, they had moved and were unable to care for her due to changed circumstances, as reported by Lost Dog Recovery UK South.
The Facebook post expressed their relief that she is safe and unhurt, but also the sadness that they are unable to bring her back. In a December 18 update, the nonprofit announced that Rose was receiving care at Last Chance Animal Rescue in Edenbridge, a town in Kent, England.
The organization also noted they have received many rehoming inquiries for Rose and said those interested in welcoming Rose to their home should contact Last Chance Animal Rescue.
