Our big lovable Golden Retriever, Baxter, went missing sometime last night between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. We discovered an open fence gate and him gone last night about 6:30 p.m. Problem is that since Baxter could open a latch on a fence gate, we keep a pin through the lock hole in the latches. But the particular latch on the gate that was open is not aligned right and is very difficult for even us to operate. There’s no way Bax could have nosed up the latch if for some reason the pin had fallen out.
So we’re pretty sure Bax had some help. We’re not sure though if it was a prank or he’s been stolen. I sat food and water out for him last night but this morning, there’s no sign of him. We’ll file a police report this morning. The boys are heartbroken.
It’s hard to think someone could consider it a prank. Taking a pet is not the same as TPing a house. If it is a prank the kids who did it need some serious readjustment.
Unfortunately, no. I had planned on getting it done as soon as I had a job again but hadn’t gotten to it yet. He is wearing his collar and rabies tag. Our female, Abby, is chipped as was Riley who passed away in 2004.
Out at my dads, who lives in Elk, so its pretty much just trees and field out there, our dogs would leave for days at a time before they decided to come back, but they always come back.
Just keep an eye out and wait. Thats pretty much all you can do. Hopefully the police report helps. =p
Update: Baxter is safely back at home after being picked up by Rochelle Community Hospital late last night and transported to Rochelle Vet Clinic. We are very glad he’s home but still remain very concerned about the suspicious release from the back yard last night. There are more indications that it was deliberate.
my dog who went missing a couple months ago was stolen my dad thinks because it was an akita and it was very nice dog and its really sad that someone would do that
Well, so far so good. Baxter was in the back yard this morning when I woke up. Last night, I went to Rockford to buy locks for the gates. Gas money plus $30 for locks…this dog is getting expensive. (I just mistyped the word “dog”. Maybe it’s more appropriate at this point to type it “god”.) Mary also bought an I.D. tag for his collar.
The locks were a strong suggestion by the local police department. I called the police initially to let them know that Bax was missing so if anyone called in, the police would know who to call. Tony, the friendly police dispatcher, informed me that I could be cited for Dog at Large if the police were involved in Bax’s capture and return. He said the first time, they’d probably return him to me with a warning but the second time, it could involve a court visit and fine, probably some $75 plus court costs. It also didn’t matter who let the dog loose, he was still our responsibility.
Our back yard dumps into the parking lot of a nursing home. The nursing home ladies love Baxter and give him treats going to and from work (I told them it was okay). Sometimes they even share their lunch leftovers with him. Tony asked if this was the big Golden that lived in the yard behind the nursing home. When I told him it was, he said that his wife worked at the nursing home and was always talking about Baxter. Then he told me that his wife had been so impressed with Baxter’s personality and friendliness, she bought a Golden Retriever puppy for herself.
Whenever a dog is turned in to the local vet clinic, they are mandated to file a report with the police. So now we have our first police report on record. The report does say though that his escape has evidence of foul play. Before the vet clinic could release Bax to us, they had to microchip him by law (which I had planned on doing anyway), have the police department call and say it was okay to release, and get a one night’s boarding fee from us. Again, more moolah. I can probably safely say that if I ever have to go to court over this dog, his living in our home will be in serious jeopardy.
But it’s good to have him home and in one piece. Now where did I put that duct tape…
Our lab used to escape about once a week and always came home after she ran out of places to scrounge for food. We have to keep a close eye on her just to keep her weight under control.
There was one time when she was a puppy she got loose and didn’t come home. We tried all the local shelters with no luck. I was driving the neighborhood looking for her and saw someone had posted some “dog found” posters. Turns out her collar, with the ID tag, had somehow come off (or was removed). Nice to have good neighbors.
Somebody once let our 5 gineapigs out of their cage in the middle of the night. I don’t know what happened to them because they disappeared. (Our garden is enclosed so although a human could jump over the wall, gineapigs wouldn’t have been able to get out of the garden). A couple of days later two of them appeared in the garden. Never found out what happened to the others.
They ate eachother.
Survival became tough and the tough survived.
Glad to see you got your pooch back, our dogs are let out most weekend by drunks walking home. It is a terrible feeling not knowing where they are, especially when you live near a busy road. I always dread going out the front and finding one of them on the side of the road.
lol i like the Idea of DOG AT LARGE.
what happens if you get done three times? jail time? imagine that.
Large tatooed thug: So what are you in for?
Whispy haired albino: rape and murder. How about you?
Large tatooed thug: kidnapping and armed roberry.
Both turn to yoopers and say in unision: What about you mate?
Yoopers (feebly): Dog At Large
(my i made some generalisations in that above piece)
