A few people asked me how we finally caught Penny/Lotus. She was spotted a few times in the same area, and had been fed by several people the previous day, but was then very unfortunately hit by a car.. A few people continued to look through the evening, and we knew she was not critically injured, but she was hiding. The next morning, Dawn Dooley Mathews and Alda Proulx were driving the area, and I was mainly on foot in back fields, etc. Dawn was watching the highway to see if she would pop out, while I went behind peoples houses (mostly with their permission). It took a few hours I guess, but Alda spotted her on somones lawn and brought me too her. This was HUGE because I had been looking for her... for I dont know how many hours and days and had never actually laid eyes on her. I was pretty sure that if I spotted her myself, I could get her. Then as soon as I get out of the car, she takes one look at me...... and bolts. LOL. So much for her recognizing her former foster mom! I sat on the grass about 50ft from the road while Alda and Dawn stayed in their cars and texted me as she was approaching. I couldnt turn my head to look for her, or she would bolt. For about an hour she circled around me, curious and hungry but scared. In the mental state she was in, I dont feel she recognized me or understood who I was at all, through the whole process. This is quite normal for dogs that are essentially feral, to not recognize even their owners. I sat still while she ate from my hands quite a few times, and I even gently brushed against her collar a few times but it was too soon to risk grabbing her. After about an hour of this, a dump truck rumbled past, scared her and she took off. We regrouped. Alda got called to do real police work. :) Allison Samson called and encouraged me that Lotus would definitely be back. Dawn asked the group for KFC, which Wendy Longpre kindly offered to get. While everyone was gone, I moved my things further away from the rd (maybe 100 ft). Still on someones lawn. Here I am wondering whether the person would come home from work and see a strange woman camped out with her hands smeared in wet dog food, throwing bits of dried liver, and a package of weiners between her legs . Someone had called me at that point, I think it was Wendy. I didnt even realize Lotus/Penny had come back but I felt her nose. I stayed on the phone for a minute which I think helped because the attention was really off of her. She was more confident and more determined. I extended two hands with the hand with food further out than the empty hand, so that as she ate, the empty hand was under her chin. I figured it was my shot, so I grabbed her collar. I got lucky that it was the martingale loop that prevented her from backing out. She WAILED in fear, as it was probably the first time she was actually touched in 3 weeks. But she was a good girl, and she would never snap or bite, even when petrified. Still I am sure she didnt recognize me. Honestly it was a bit anti climactic, it was pretty fast and no one watching! It wasnt until maybe 20 feet from the car that something clicked for her. She started to pull as hard as she could towards the car. All I could think was that the collar or leash would snap, ACK!. I opened the car door, and she dove into the passenger seat and just looked, well, ready to go. I still tied her leash down though, not taking chances ;) Kristi Allain arrived with bacon, and Wendy with the fried chicken, so we gave the brave girl a good snack. Lots of hugs all around, and off we went. It wasnt until we walked in the front door that she really got excited. And she has pretty well been back to her old self since... Happy and right at your side. :-)
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 23:09:03 +0000
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