Monday, April 11, 2011

Finding Phineas

Got an email yesterday from people I know, regarding a missing border collie.  Phin had come up from Portland to a foster home in Mission (about half an hour from us).  When they got him home and were getting him out of the car, he got scared and since the leash wasn't on him yet, he had a chance to bolt, and he did.  It was 7 in the evening.  The foster parents searched until dark and beyond but no luck.

Photos from PNW border collie rescue site.

I know that sickening feeling when a dog has gone missing.  It has happened to me twice, but thankfully with a good ending.  I said I was willing to come over and help them this morning.  Jake and I got there about 8am.  Since Phin is nervous with strangers, I thought walking around with a dog might be a good idea.  'M' and 'S' had stopped for something to eat when I got there, so I said I would walk up the side road where Phin had last been seen running.  The first house I passed, there just happened to be someone pulling out.  I talked to him, showed him Phin's picture, and he said he had seen a dog just like that, running through some yards about half an hour before.  I ran back to the house to tell 'S', and we set off down the road.  The guy I talked to went ahead to see if he could see the dog again, but he couldn't.  We walked on, but in the area where he thought he saw Phin, 'S' saw an australian shepherd that we think the guy mistakenly thought was Phin.  After more walking around, talking to people, handing out the phone number in case they had a sighting, talking to a police officer who was going to pass the word on to the rest of the patrol cars,  we returned back to the house.  By this time more people had shown up.  Posters were made and taped up on signs and mailboxes.  Someone with a golden retriever was doing some tracking.  She thought they found a spot where Phin bedded down for the night, in the bush next to where he had gone missing.  'S' had searched through there a few times.  Jake and I walked up the road where he had run, calling gently, taking our time, stopping to just listen.  This is a very rural  thickly wooded area, with a small mountain behind the property. We walked to the top of their back pasture, played a bit of ball, called, whistled, and just waited and looked and listened.  The Food Lady from Wootube, showed up with her pack.  She walked around with Tweed, but no luck.  I finally left about 11.  Hopefully flooding the neighbourhood with signs and posters will help bring Phin home.

9 comments:

  1. Nothing worse than losing a foster dog..it happens so fast..they are so scared. I hope they have good luck finding him..it was so good of you to help! :)

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  2. paws crossed they find the poor baby
    Benny & Lily

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  3. I'll never forget the desperation I felt when Jet was lost in the forest fire. NEVER. Here's hoping he is found.

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  4. Oh, gosh - we are keeping our paws crossed for Phin! We've had a couple of close calls with Monty - he is quick out the door, and I know that sick feeling you get when they are out of sight! Please update us as soon as they find him!

    Sam

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  5. oh no- heart in throat type of thing. Happens so fast sometimes. Hope he has a happy ending soon!

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  6. The Food Lady (ie me) has hired Petsearchers Canada to come out with their bloodhounds tomorrow to track Phin. He was spotted this afternoon in the driveway of his foster home, but bolted when he saw people. So he's in the area. Al will be there first thing tomorrow morning to nab him. THANK YOU to the folks who donated toward the cost of Petsearchers fees!

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  7. I had heard tonight at our dog club that Phin had been spotted close by, and then it was good to come home and read TFL's comment. At least he didn't just run and run and run in a blind panic. Hopefully he'll be found safely tomorrow.

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  8. Here's the latest on Phin, from the That'll Do Border Collie Rescue Facebook page

    Phin was sighted twice today but continues to elude capture. A live trap has been set to try and catch him, as he must be hungry by now! More paws crossed please!
    about an hour ago
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thatll-Do-Border-Collie-Rescue/66850807194?sk=wall

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  9. I hope they catch him soon..a live trap should work great..he must be getting hungry by now..:(

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