Zoey's Rescue

Author's Note:

This rescue is a textbook example of why we always say, and every flyer we produce says, to not chase the lost animal. Reported sightings are incredibly important. Some dogs will come right up to you or hop in your vehicle. Others will not, and you may end up chasing them out of the area or into traffic.

Zoey’s Story:

On Monday night, Zoey’s family was involved in a deer versus automobile accident, resulting in the total loss of their new car. As they exited the vehicle, Zoey ran from the car as so often occurs. Since it was dark and they had possibly rolled, they were not quite certain exactly where they were or where she had headed. On Tuesday, I was alerted to a post about Zoey and contacted the family.

We began by walking the highway and confirming the crash site. It was about a mile further west than they originally thought. This is a difficult spot on the highway in that area for lost dogs. We have worked in this area a few times, and the results were not always positive. I searched about 20 acres of heavy brush that night, and the Sheriff’s office accompanied us to a barn on a neighboring vacant property. I had found a missing dog deceased close by earlier in the day, so I didn’t set up a feeding station at that time.

On Wednesday, we came up with a plan to set up three feeding stations: one on the south and north sides of I-70 and in the woods in the median. The hope was to anchor her on the side she was on so she wouldn’t be drawn across the road. Good Samaritans also tend to stop and attempt to chase the dog when seen, which can push them into the traffic. This is a tough area. From there, the search would continue by drone with a lot of ground to cover. When I was setting up the second feeding station, I spotted her in a pasture about 300 yards to the north. During the evening, dogs often pop out of the woods along the tree line they are hiding in. I notified the owners who immediately headed my way, and as I had already been communicating with Amy Coon of Topeka Lawrence Dog Trappers, she was at the ready as well. Zoey was a rescue from Helping Hands Humane Society. They had reviewed their notes on Zoey (Mrs. Biscuits to them), and they noted that she was quite skittish and might need to be trapped.

I drove as close as I could without pushing her, opened the vehicle doors, and started talking calmly to her. (Yelling a name can seem like aggression to a dog.) She barked for a while and darted into the woods. I left the door on the Jeep open. Sometimes a dog that loves to ride will just load themselves up. Worth a shot. I sat on the ground facing away from her and waited. I did not chase or move toward her in any way. I could hear her barking further away. She popped back out after a while, halfway closer than when she entered the woods. I kept using quiet calming signals and a low voice, avoiding eye contact, and she came in about 8-10 feet barking but wouldn’t get closer. She was clearly telling me she didn’t trust me yet and needed time. She had no interest in food or treats. Had I tried to chase her or grab her, she would have been gone.

I needed to get lower. I laid on my back, arms bent up in the air and right leg bent up. She then moved about 10 feet behind my head and ran up and booped my head with her nose. (I loved that.) I didn’t move. Not appearing as a threat, she and I kept talking, building trust, and she moved to the outside of my left arm. I didn’t move. Had I tried to grab her, she would have run off. She then moved to the inside of my left arm for love and pets. She didn’t realize that I then had control of her and slowly placed the slip lead that was on my chest over her head with my right hand. I was live on the phone with her parents at the time (Go headphones) and had had them stop so they didn’t spook her. As soon as they came around the corner, there she was in my arms. Joyous tears were shared by all. Zoey’s tail said it all as she recognized her people. Her nightmare was over, and she was very happy to be headed home.

Dogs worm their way into our hearts. I received a text later stating: “Thank you so much, Bob. Our lives are complete because of you.”

I think that says it all.