Boomer went missing on 11/02/16 from Springbrook Township after his leash pulled out of his mom’s hand. There were only 2 sightings both right after he ran when he crossed 307. Then nothing, no sightings. It is always a concern when dogs run with a retractable leash attached, but in my experience every single one of them chew it off and Boomer did just that. Good boy Boomer. 🙂
I went up this morning to flyer with the owners, tell people and do a controlled search of the area. Both owners, Jill and Rick, myself and my hubby did the search. I had the owners take the right, I went through the middle and Jeff took the left. After several trails, I found myself deep in the woods and going with my instincts of where Boomer maybe. I walked up on Boomer standing in the woods, our eyes met and I knew I was made…lol. So, down on the ground I went. I was on the phone with Jeff when I spotted him, but had no idea where Jeff was in relation to where I was at that time. I called the owners and described the best I could where I was and asked them to find me.
I kept Boomer calm and occupied, at one point he felt comfortable enough to curl up for a nap less than 10 feet from me. Poor boy was shaking so bad when he saw me. No worries buddy, I’m here to help. The plan was to get the owners to me because I was hoping Boomer would come to them. He was really scared and gave me a few growls and barks. I calmed him down and kept getting closer to him. His mom and dad were having a really difficult time finding me in the woods and we were losing daylight and hunters were shooting multiple gunshots not far from us. Plan B, I inched closer and closer and he finally sniffed me and I was able to pet him on the head. I then gently grabbed his collar, he didn’t even know I had it. Then I slipped the slip lead over him told him what a great boy he was and we began our journey out of the deep woods.
We met up with Jeff that wasn’t too far away. He tried to find us once I spotted Boomer, but Boomer and I heard him coming on the lower trail with all the leaves, so I asked him to stop moving and stay still until I had the dog secured. Boomer greeted Jeff and off we went to find the owners that didn’t know I had Boomer secured yet. We heard the owners coming on one of the trails and needless to say Boomer, Jill and Rick were all thrilled to see each other. After some hugs, kisses and tears (and food and water for Boomer) we then continued our journey out of the woods and to the car. Loaded him up and took him back home where he belongs. Boomer was incredibly happy to be back home. 🙂
Thank you to the owners for listening and trusting me to help get their baby back. Thank you to the person that referred us from Griffin Pond. Thank you to my hubby for always having my back and being by my side. Best search partner ever. 🙂 Thank you to everyone that shared his photo. The reason there were no sightings is because he was so far back in the deep woods.
Love you Boomer….my Boom Boom. Welcome home sweet boy. You are safe now buddy.
And NO more retractable leashes for this boy, we left it in the woods where it belongs (it was laying right next to him when I found him)….
Here is a video of how happy Boomer was to be home:
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Click here to read a wonderful testimonial from Boomer’s Mom.