This past week I enjoyed a few days of respite, with a special friend, at the beautiful dramatic Oregon coast. Multiple storms of heavy rains, strong winds, abundant hail and bits of sunshine all reminding me the winter weather is not yet complete.
While preparing for our drive home, we spontaneously decided to go to a waterfall high in the hills upon the coastal ridge.
Raining and cold, we bundled up. My dog companion, Braecen, (pronounced Brock-en) happily jumped from the car to explore new turf. We ventured toward the falls.
A Surprising Discovery
Within minutes, Braecen pulled me over to a location of trees and ferns. When I saw what he was so interested in, my heart sank. It was a little, starving dog – out in the middle of nowhere! For how long? Based on the dog’s physical appearance, I guessed at least a week or more.
She didn’t even notice me as I looked upon her with urgency from 30 feet away. She was enthralled with a dog arriving into her world. I dropped the leash and allowed Braecen to go over to her. A sense of comfort probably for the first time since she arrived in this remote place.
Was she dumped? She had a collar but no tags. Would we be able to catch her? Quickly I returned to the car to gather some turkey meat from the cooler. My head full of thoughts about what to do as I scanned the area but no signs for “LOST DOG.” I tossed little pieces of meat, each one dropping into her world like treasures from the heavens. Again, she never looked up. Perhaps she’s deaf, I thought, but then my keys shifted in my pocket and she looked in the direction of the jingle. An empty glance. Luring her in with bits of food, she was now taking meat from my hand. Never looking up. Never registering who might be feeding her. Just a desperate receiving. I gently placed a finger onto her collar. She yelped in fear, snapped at my finger, and ran off into the woods.
A perfect time to be an Animal Communicator, right? Actually, no. As much as I wanted to influence her trust in me, that meant nothing to this little one who was in shock. No connection. No communication.
I released Braecen from his leash instructing him to go find his doggie friend. Sniffing deeply into the thick vegetation, he rummaged until the dog suddenly reappeared. I shifted from anxious to hopeful. But as soon as she saw my friend and I slowly walking in her direction, she leaped into the woods with a yelp and was gone. We waited into darkness but she never returned. So many feelings brewing- sadness, worry, disappointment and fear for her survival.
Once I Was Home, I Immediately Began to Configure a Plan.
I learned about the location of the waterfall from a FaceBook group, Pacific NW Waterfalls, so I posted on their page that I had spotted the stray dog. I was reaching out to anyone who might have info. Perhaps there had been signs that came down in the rain I thought. By morning I was receiving replies from other concerned people wanting to help. A buzz of caring people turned into a team effort in no time.
I called Animal Control of Benton County and a wonderful officer, Erica O’Neill, was helpful instantly. “Let’s meet at the location in 2 hours and I’ll bring a trap”.
I was happy to return and had high hopes that the dog would be in sight. “Bring your dog with you please,” she requested, “because the little dog is obviously drawn to him.” So I packed up Braecen, some snacks, more meat for the dog and headed back up to the hills.
We walked the area where we last saw the dog. No luck. Braecen was sniffing vigorously and told me she was in the vicinity but would not come out. “She sleeps in her safe place when it’s raining.” The light Oregon rain was falling. Erica set a humane trap and we created a schedule for us to return and check it at varying times. I couldn’t help but have a hopeful fantasy that she would come running out for the meat before we left the area. I waited quietly in my car. But an hour later I had to leave. There still was no sign of her. More feelings of disappoint and concern.
It was now less than 24 hours since I first spotted the stray dog and much was happening. The FaceBook group members were providing resources, ideas, and person power to help go up and watch for her. One woman, Carole, was amazing in networking everyone while I was gathering more resources and recruiting animal communicator friends. Our goal was to visualize her going into the trap by following her nose to the food while sending messages of love and trust.
Then a Good News Phone Call Came In.
Erica with Animal Control announced, “I think we have found the owner!” It turns out that the local Humane Society had a record of a person named Diana calling to say her daughter was in a severe car crash on March 3rd up by Alsea Falls and her dog went missing from the scene of the accident. Her daughter was babysitting her dog for the day. The 1-year-old dog was described as a light tan and white chihuahua with a curled tail named Lady Boo. That is definitely the dog I told Erica. Bless her heart, she had been up there for almost two weeks! Alone, scared, and starving.
When I immediately phoned Diana, she began to choke up with happiness and relief to hear that I had seen her little girl with my own eyes and that I truly believed we would save her.
The Search for Lady Boo
Three hours later, I was meeting Diana and driving back to the falls. With the help of experts who catch stray dogs (see tips below to help if you are ever in this situation), we learned to bring her favorite squeak toy and an item with Diana’s scent on it. We were guided on how to lure her to us in her current state of mind, referred to as “flight mode”. We were told she would not come to her name, however, she would follow her animal instincts. Food, quiet, patience and the human’s scent were key ingredients to safely capturing this vulnerable starving dog.
Diana was unable to walk due to several physical issues so I walked around with her 16 year old grandson. We traversed a couple miles and called for Lady Boo, squeaking her toy repeatedly with hopes her ears would recognize a sound that triggered her out of her haze. Rain returned. Darkness approached. Sadness engulfed us as we realized it was time to go home and try again in the morning. We placed a small towel with Diana’s scent on it next to the trap and another towel at the site of the accident less than a mile down the road. We said good-bye with plans to meet again in the morning.
And for me, another sleepless night. I could feel Lady Boo. She was petrified, having her own sleepless night, with her eyes wide open. I could not tell where she was hunkered down, but I did know it was dry and very hidden. She was in as safe of a place as possible, but time was ticking away due to starvation. I forced myself to find peace in knowing she had turkey in her belly from the night before.
Lady Boo is Found!
In the morning a woman volunteered to meet Diana while I was making numerous signs to post on the pine trees. As I was driving up to the falls to join them, I received a text “We have her!” I pulled over to the side of the road and cried. Unbelievable. We did it. We saved her. A miracle happened today!
Lady Boo was laying on the towel next to the trap, soaking wet and waiting when they found her. It worked. Smelling her Mamma’s scent on the towel gave her guidance to stay put. Even then, when Diana gently said her name, she barely responded. Cautioned by the experts to not approach her but let her come when ready, Diana patiently waited.
It appeared Lady Boo wanted to go to her but could not make a decision. Diana decided to get meat from her car. As she opened the door some 50 yards away, Lady Boo got up, scurried to the car and jumped in. Exhausted. Alive.
Amazingly, this little survivor had no broken bones from an accident where the car flipped, rolled and smashed into a cement sign. No injuries at all. Of course, her body was depleted of nutrients and she had dropped from 13 pounds down to 6.9 pounds. Medical test results show she is in good shape. She will recover.
While at the vet, she would not let go of her Mamma. I sent her messages of clarity about her circumstances and assured her this will never happen again. No longer needing to send her messages of trust because she was safely in the arms of the person she loved.
As I look into those beautiful eyes now, I wonder what it was like for her out there in the elements for 2 weeks. Intense weather conditions and risks of predators. Could I have handled it as well as she did? I’m not sure. One thing of which I am sure – I know a true miracle happened. The beauty of this miracle is not only her survival but also the way strangers came together to save her. People are now donating money to help pay for her medical care because Diana has very limited income. She is also contending with her daughter’s multiple injuries, requiring five surgeries so far, and the possibility of never walking again. With the return of Lady Boo, she will have help in making it through. I bet Lady Boo isn’t the only one not letting go of the love embrace.
Personally, I feel so blessed to have been a part of this miracle. At a time when there is such difficult news around us in life, I am reminded there are people making a positive difference in this world every single day. Actions fueled by love.
You can help Lady Boo also with your loving heart. Please send her bunches of love. You can imagine hugging her and smiling at her. Don’t send worry or sadness energy because that will not help her at all. Look into those eyes and tell her what a great job she did. Tell her how her courage has touched your life. Let her know that her story has been heard and how it may have helped you. Imagine her returning to her healthy and whole self. This will honor Lady Boo and her continued journey to survive.