For pet owners, the idea of losing your pet is both terrifying and devastating. In 2006, Tracy Dove’s one year old brown and white German Shorthaired Pointer named Charlie disappeared from her Alabama yard, Tracy was certain Charlie had been stolen to be used as a hunting dog and assumed she would never see her beloved pet again.
When Tracy got Charlie, she had him microchipped, and in spite of the fact that she felt like Charlie was probably dead, she continued to update her information in a microchip database. 10 years later, her diligence paid off. Last week, 250 miles away, a brown and white pointer was spotted lying on the steps of a church. The person who spotted Charlie informed an animal rescuer named Renee Jones. Renee and her team collected Charlie and took him to a local vet. Within minutes, thanks to his microchip, the vet was on the phone with Tracy.
Initially, Tracy thought the phone call was a scam, believing it was impossible that Charlie was still alive. The clinic sent her a picture, and although his muzzle is gray and he now has a large, cancerous tumor on his chest, Tracy recognized the dog as her Charlie. Thanks to an online fundraiser, enough money has been raised to remove the cancer from Charlie’s chest. Tracy, who says she cried when she realized her beloved pet had finally been found, will be with Charlie for the surgery, then take him home when he’s well enough to travel. See photo of Charlie here.
It’s important to share stories like this one for several reasons. We all come across stray animals and just because they haven’t been groomed or are in bad shape does not mean that someone does not love them and is not looking for them. Too often, people don’t stop what they’re doing to help, but it can be so easy to, at least, get the ball rolling to help. Just pick up the phone and call a no-kill rescue group or shelter. You never have to touch or interact with the animal. If you do decide to pick the animal up, take it to a vet. At least find out if the animal is microchipped. If it’s not, and you don’t want to keep it, the vet can help the animal get into the hands of a shelter where it will at least be provided with meals and shelter. If the pet is microchipped, imagine how good you will feel about removing the anxiety from it’s owners and the joy you will bring them (and the pet) by playing a part in reuniting it with its owner.
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