This story is about Ruby, my parents' dog. Ruby is a wee little Lakeland terrier, and my dad used to walk both Ruby and Benson on a Sunday morning when they lived close by. My dad is a science teacher, so moved to work in a new job around 45mins and across town. My dad was walking Ruby in a roughly 30-acre field, next to a wood early yesterday morning. The grass was knee-high. Ruby has never strayed very far in 7 years. I just can't imagine his distress, when he turned around and just like that she was gone! He searched all day, walking literally for miles and miles. Ruby was advertised everywhere as lost, and other dog walkers came to help. The area is called Wrington Hill and it is a vast, challenging terrain. Eventually, at around 7 pm, I get the call that Ruby had been lost all day. The anxiety mixed with deep sorrow in his voice was heartbreaking. He was also exhausted. My dad didn't want to tell me earlier, as he knew we would be upset, Ruby is very much part of the Beanwood gang. So we just bundled all three dogs in the car, packed some water and off we sped down to Wrington. Luckily the traffic was quiet and we arrive at our destination, around 8.15 pm. I have to admit when I got out of the car, my heart sank..the area was vast! The grass was really thick and tall, right up to my knees, and no pathway that I could see. The field also bordered a lot of private farm and woodland, I think a shoot is based around there. Glancing at Bramble I did worry we might lose her as well, she was soooo excited, not helped by the magnificent peacocks who greeted us on arrival. So off we set...Marcus on my far right, with Casper, Bramble hunting the middle and myself with Benson on the far left. Dad came up a few minutes later behind me and walked up with Marcus ahead. We use the dogs in a rough walk up, crisscrossing the ground in front. Judging the wind, I head into the field, heading towards where Ruby was lost...both Benson and Bramble dash ahead...fussing over something. They then both turn run off towards Marcus and Brian. I look towards where they were, and see nothing but a pile of stinky poo! I sigh and look back towards where they have disappeared, back to Marcus and dad in the distance. , at the edge of the wood. They have stopped looking, dad with shoulders stooped. I turn back to where the dogs had been..and stare. Two tiny dark and frightened eyes were staring back at me... I had found Ruby.
I feel for Ruby and your dad and , of course, for everyone involved! How scary it must have been. My cat went missing last week and we did everything except call out the Queen's guard! Horrible feeling but such a relief when she came back!
It is the most sad and frightening thing to happen to lose a dog. Ruby wasn't too far away then? Dogs get very frightened when lost and don't respond to calls; one thing which is successful is to leave a coat or jumper with the owner's scent on it at the place you last saw the dog, as the dog will often circle back to where it was first lost and then will settle on the article. Very well done to the Beanwood Gang, your Father must be in seventh heaven and so grateful to you.
Yes, Ruby was terrified when I found her, tucked like a small ball in a particularly long section of grass. I was stood quietly, just looking in her direction, when I spotted her eyes. She was almost exactly where he had lost her. You really could almost walk over her and not know she was there. Very good advice! We were going to do this today, with one of my tall plastic posts to make it easier to spot at a distance. In Ruby's case, this would have worked well.
The best happy ending! I can put myself in her paws and understand how terrified she must have felt. I hope your dad has learnt his lesson, though - if it ever happens again, call in The Beanwood Gang immediately!
New bandanas for them all "Beanwood Gang - SAR Squad" So glad there was a happy ending, your poor dad must have been so scared - Ruby, too!
Poor little Ruby - she and your father must have been equally terrified. Thank goodness for the Beanwood SAR squad. I agree with @snowbunny - new bandanas all around!
We lost Boogie on Cannock Chase when he was only 6 months old. We searched for hours until it went dark. We gave up in tears and went back to the car. There he was at the car, waiting for us! .
Heart in my mouth reading this - your poor dad and poor Ruby. Well done for finding her. Really feel for your dad and the agony he must have gone through, followed by massive relief.
