FALL RIVER: The look of relief on Ross and Teresa Smith’s face says all that needs to be said about the return of their beloved 10-month-old pet dog Sandals.
The beagle escaped from her harness on June 27 and ran down Cedarwood Court towards Foster and then made the turn up to Martyn Drive. That set off a frantic search, especially with Canada Day and impending fireworks around the corner. She was also out wandering the area in the wet weather that hit the region over several days.
As soon as they posted about Sandals going missing, their community in Fall River Village came to their aid in spreading word on the missing dog and soon strangers and neighbours they had never met or knew were helping in their search.
“It means a lot to us that the community came out and helped us in our search,” said Teresa. “It was overwhelming. People who we didn’t even know were helping us.
“We heard from a lot of people who saw the posters from Waverley to Lantz,” added Ross.
There was a woman who cooked up some hamburger and left it at the end of Ingram Drive and went back and checked on it an hour later.
“It was gone when she went back,” said Teresa. “Just for someone to take the time to do that was amazing.”
Teresa said it was nice to see people dropping everything to find their puppy.
“I don’t think she would be back home without the help of everyone searching for her,” she said.
Sandals was eventually found on July 2 at about 5:30 p.m. after she was spotted running along a pathway off Canterbury Drive.
“Ross and our son, Colton, went into the woods at one end of the trail and I entered where Sandals was last seen,” said Teresa. “I was only in a short distance when I spotted Sandals as she tore through the bush. I came face-to-face with Sandals as I was on the trail, and said ‘treat’ to her and showed her her toy, which was enough time for me to get the collar around and on her.”
Since the rescue, Sandals has had a bath, getting lots of food and cuddles, and most importantly sleeping soundly back under the safe roof of her human owners.
Do the Smith’s have any idea where their beloved family pet went?
“No we don’t,” said Teresa. “I’m sure if those eyes could talk, she would be able to tell us all about her adventures.”
When The Laker posed that question to Sandals, all the four-legged pup would give is licks to the tape recorder and Reporter Pat Healey’s very white legs.