This morning we trapped Oakley missing from Mountain Top since October 27. She was just adopted on October 22 and slipped out of her harness on October 27. This poor girl had a rough life and was brought up from Mississippi. She was never properly socialized and is very fearful.
On the 22nd, I received a message from her owner asking for advice on what to do and not do to locate her. The next morning, I received a phone call from a wonderful family asking if we found the missing dog, Rocky, in Mountain Top. I said yes, thankfully we captured him last week and he was safe at home. I then asked if the caller saw a stray dog. He said yes, we thought it was Rocky. Immediately, I knew it was Oakley and not Rocky.
I called Oakley’s mom and told her we have a sighting call. I had mom go over to the area immediately with her other dog Coe that Oakley really likes and had her quietly walk around. Unfortunately, no sign of Oakley as she took off before the owner got there.
My gut was telling me Oakley was going to need to be trapped. So, I immediately went up and started knocking on doors and speaking to everyone on 4 surrounding streets. Several of the homeowners saw Oakley on Wednesday and/or on Thursday. I gave all the homeowners my number to call me with any sightings and specific instructions to ignore her, not approach and pretend you don’t see her. Oakley was dangerously close to 81 and we couldn’t risk her going onto 81 like Rocky did last week.
Oakley ended up getting scared by several riding lawn mowers and leaf blowers throughout the neighborhood on Thursday. But, thankfully no one went after her and listened to me. Oakley just kept ducking into the woods throughout the neighborhood or found a yard to hide in until the next loud noise startled her and she moved again. She was on every street in that neighborhood and at almost all the houses. Her home is approximately one mile away from where she ended up.
Sometimes we intentionally don’t post dogs we are working on because they are terrified and involve a targeted effort that we need to keep quiet to save them as quickly as possible. Thankfully ALL of the neighbors we spoke to cooperated and not a single person yelled to her or approached her after I spoke with them and called me if they spotted her. I’m extremely thankful for the wonderful neighborhood in the area of the Ice House Pub, specifically 1st, 2nd, and 3rd streets. I wish all neighborhoods were like that one.
A special thank you to the family on 2nd street where we trapped Oakley. A wonderful family that called in the sighting, allowed us to trap on their property, helped carry the trap and even let us use a room in their home to safely get Oakley out of the trap in a secured area.
Their neighbors right behind them have to be the sweetest people I have ever met on a dog search. A senior couple that gave me total, anytime access to their property now and if I ever need to help an animal in the future. Come and go as I please, no questions asked. ?
And last but certainly not least, I need to thank two of my friends for all their help yesterday and today. These two ladies are phenomenal people and I’m blessed to call them friends. ? There are only 4 people I trust to truly help me with recovering pets and these 2 ladies are 2 of them.
Donna thank you for making the 50-minute drive yesterday to help me knock on doors and find Oakley. We were on the same exact page with this dog. It’s always great to have another person that I fully trust that knows lost dog behavior on a rescue with me. Francine two dogs in two weeks, we have to stop meeting like this. ? Thank you very much for coming last night to help set up the trap and this morning for getting there very quickly when Oakley went in the trap this morning. It was a huge sigh of relief knowing you were there keeping Oakley safe while I was frantically driving to get there. And thank you to Michael for being such a Trooper these last 2 weeks. Such a wonderful young man!!
After we got Oakley out of the trap, I followed his mom home to make sure that Oakley got safely back into the house. I can’t stress enough how important double leashing is with a skittish and/or newly adopted dog. It literally can be a difference between life and death for a fearful dog.
Below is Oakley’s capture video for those that always want to see the video. ? I instantly fell in ? with her the second I met her. Truth be told, I ? all of them even before I meet them.
Also below is our donation link, we have spent a significant amount of money out of our own pockets for lost dog recovery recently. Any donation is sincerely appreciated as it helps us to help save more lives. Thank you in advance for your support. ?
you Cookie and Buddy. 
