Lost dogs can give you a panic.
The realization that they're gone hits you like a freight train sending chills up your spine.
Your palms become sweaty, your mind is racing, your forehead sweats with thoughts of their demise and your legs start shaking.
What is the first thing that you should do? The first thing you have to do is to calm yourself down.
Hard to do, I know, but it's got to be done to get the rational part of you in motion.
The second thing you must do is to remember what you read in this article about lost dogs.
Start by checking everywhere on your property.
For the little guys, check every nook and cranny including in your laundry area.
You'd be surprised where they will crawl into for a nap.
Once you have established that you have a lost dog, walk or bicycle one mile in all directions with a piece of fabric that they have laid with.
A blanket or rug or towel will do nicely.
As you walk or bike, your lost dogs will pick up the scent that you leave.
Make your first trek the same route that the two of you travel during the usual daily walks.
Call their name and make noise with their squeaky toy because they can hear ten times better than we can.
If you have used a dog whistle in the past with your pets, take it and use it.
They will respond.
It is important to stop frequently, be quiet and listen for your dogs' bark.
Carry with you a collar, a favorite treat and a leash.
As you talk to people, ask if there has been unusual activity such as utility workers, carpenters, lawn cutting, salesmen, etc.
Never give your name and address to anyone if at all possible but always leave your phone number.
Scam artists take advantage of these situations.
Get neighborhood kids to do what they're great at - finding lost dogs.
Remember to ask for permission from their parents.
Many pedophiles use this same technique to lure children and parents know this.
Be sure to have a powerful flashlight even during daylight.
You will be able to scour under porches and other dark areas.
Take the family dog that is not lost with you.
Your lost dog will find the scent of his pal.
The pal will alert you when the lost dog is nearby with its body language and may even start barking.
The pal dog already knows that something is wrong and its' senses are keener now.
Pal picks this up because you are not "normal" at that moment and you're giving off a scent that tells pal that something is wrong.
Pay attention to this body language and if the pal seems to want to go in this or that direction, you should follow this lead.
It may find the other best friend.
Back at the house - leave the gates open and place their bedding outside with their toys so your lost dog can be attracted by their scent.
NEVER leave food outside for them to eat because dogs can easily go two weeks without food.
Leaving food outside will attract everything else that you don't want around to eat it.
How about skunks, raccoons, stray cats and other dogs decorating your front porch.
Now you've given them a reason to come back again just to see if you are still generous to them.
Create fliers with pictures and spread them everywhere.
Do not put your name and address on fliers.
Your phone number and an accurate description are all the information that is needed.
Always withhold one key piece of the description to yourself.
I will explain the reason later.
Fliers are the number one reason for the majority of pets being found.
They really work.
Local animal control centers will get phone calls to complain about nuisance lost dogs and one of those calls could be about your dog.
Call each of them within a five-mile radius.
Since they are always driving around performing their duties, they also see wandering animals and one of them could be yours.
Call or visit veterinarian clinics within a four or five mile radius and leave your flier with them.
If you can not visit them every day, call them daily to see if they have treated stray dogs that other people have brought in.
If they have, go there to positively identify that it is or that it is not your lost dog.
Your description of your pet will be different than other people's description and only you can positively make sure.
Don't forget to call emergency animal clinics as well.
Call every animal shelter in your area each and every day because most "kill" shelters will euthanize three days later.
Find out what agency is responsible for picking up dead dogs along roadways.
Take a photo of your lost dog with your phone number on the back of it to them.
Leave it there because other workers may have collected the body but they are not present during your visit.
Leaving it there will remind them to call you if and when they do discover your friend.
If this agency is uncooperative with you, immediately head to city hall & raise a fuss but be courteous.
You WILL get action and cooperation.
Place lost dogs ads in newspapers.
Do not include your name and address.
Get on the Internet, use the keywords "lost dogs" to find websites that can help in your search.
When you get a phone call from a stranger that claims to have your pet, always meet in public places if you have any doubts about your safety.
You must take a friend or two with you because you should never meet them alone.
Never invite that person to your home.
Remember that one key piece of the description that you withheld?Ask the stranger to thoroughly describe the dog that they are looking at.
If you do not hear that one key piece of the description that you withheld, it's not your lost dog.
Money scammers will claim to be out of town but they have your dog.
You will be asked to send them money to pay for shipping your friend back to you.
Don't send it because they don't have your dog.
Once your best friend has returned home, be sure to notify the animal control agencies and veterinarian offices.
I must encourage you to never punish or discipline your runaway pets.
They will have no idea what you are talking about and can not relate to the circumstances.
I believe that they will relate their return home with your punishment.
The next time they run, they may not come back.
We can save ourselves a whole lot of grief if we take precautions before a runaway happens.
Walk along the fence-line often to look for evidence of digging and for other indicators that a repair is needed.
Do not let your dogs leave your yard without being on a lead even if you are right there with them.
This is the law of the land in every city and small town in America.
Some dogs will run just to run while others run because something has attracted them and there is no way they are going to listen to you yelling behind them.
Now is the time to take very good photographs of your pets by taking close-ups from several angles.
If you ever need them for a flier, you've got them ready.
Your veterinarian can implant a microchip that is the same chip used within your local area.
When lost dogs are found, they will be scanned to locate the chip and from there, they are on their way home.
There is nothing better than peace-of-mind with being "family again" once lost dogs have come home.
By Drew Mezo
The realization that they're gone hits you like a freight train sending chills up your spine.
Your palms become sweaty, your mind is racing, your forehead sweats with thoughts of their demise and your legs start shaking.
What is the first thing that you should do? The first thing you have to do is to calm yourself down.
Hard to do, I know, but it's got to be done to get the rational part of you in motion.
The second thing you must do is to remember what you read in this article about lost dogs.
Start by checking everywhere on your property.
For the little guys, check every nook and cranny including in your laundry area.
You'd be surprised where they will crawl into for a nap.
Once you have established that you have a lost dog, walk or bicycle one mile in all directions with a piece of fabric that they have laid with.
A blanket or rug or towel will do nicely.
As you walk or bike, your lost dogs will pick up the scent that you leave.
Make your first trek the same route that the two of you travel during the usual daily walks.
Call their name and make noise with their squeaky toy because they can hear ten times better than we can.
If you have used a dog whistle in the past with your pets, take it and use it.
They will respond.
It is important to stop frequently, be quiet and listen for your dogs' bark.
Carry with you a collar, a favorite treat and a leash.
As you talk to people, ask if there has been unusual activity such as utility workers, carpenters, lawn cutting, salesmen, etc.
Never give your name and address to anyone if at all possible but always leave your phone number.
Scam artists take advantage of these situations.
Get neighborhood kids to do what they're great at - finding lost dogs.
Remember to ask for permission from their parents.
Many pedophiles use this same technique to lure children and parents know this.
Be sure to have a powerful flashlight even during daylight.
You will be able to scour under porches and other dark areas.
Take the family dog that is not lost with you.
Your lost dog will find the scent of his pal.
The pal will alert you when the lost dog is nearby with its body language and may even start barking.
The pal dog already knows that something is wrong and its' senses are keener now.
Pal picks this up because you are not "normal" at that moment and you're giving off a scent that tells pal that something is wrong.
Pay attention to this body language and if the pal seems to want to go in this or that direction, you should follow this lead.
It may find the other best friend.
Back at the house - leave the gates open and place their bedding outside with their toys so your lost dog can be attracted by their scent.
NEVER leave food outside for them to eat because dogs can easily go two weeks without food.
Leaving food outside will attract everything else that you don't want around to eat it.
How about skunks, raccoons, stray cats and other dogs decorating your front porch.
Now you've given them a reason to come back again just to see if you are still generous to them.
Create fliers with pictures and spread them everywhere.
Do not put your name and address on fliers.
Your phone number and an accurate description are all the information that is needed.
Always withhold one key piece of the description to yourself.
I will explain the reason later.
Fliers are the number one reason for the majority of pets being found.
They really work.
Local animal control centers will get phone calls to complain about nuisance lost dogs and one of those calls could be about your dog.
Call each of them within a five-mile radius.
Since they are always driving around performing their duties, they also see wandering animals and one of them could be yours.
Call or visit veterinarian clinics within a four or five mile radius and leave your flier with them.
If you can not visit them every day, call them daily to see if they have treated stray dogs that other people have brought in.
If they have, go there to positively identify that it is or that it is not your lost dog.
Your description of your pet will be different than other people's description and only you can positively make sure.
Don't forget to call emergency animal clinics as well.
Call every animal shelter in your area each and every day because most "kill" shelters will euthanize three days later.
Find out what agency is responsible for picking up dead dogs along roadways.
Take a photo of your lost dog with your phone number on the back of it to them.
Leave it there because other workers may have collected the body but they are not present during your visit.
Leaving it there will remind them to call you if and when they do discover your friend.
If this agency is uncooperative with you, immediately head to city hall & raise a fuss but be courteous.
You WILL get action and cooperation.
Place lost dogs ads in newspapers.
Do not include your name and address.
Get on the Internet, use the keywords "lost dogs" to find websites that can help in your search.
When you get a phone call from a stranger that claims to have your pet, always meet in public places if you have any doubts about your safety.
You must take a friend or two with you because you should never meet them alone.
Never invite that person to your home.
Remember that one key piece of the description that you withheld?Ask the stranger to thoroughly describe the dog that they are looking at.
If you do not hear that one key piece of the description that you withheld, it's not your lost dog.
Money scammers will claim to be out of town but they have your dog.
You will be asked to send them money to pay for shipping your friend back to you.
Don't send it because they don't have your dog.
Once your best friend has returned home, be sure to notify the animal control agencies and veterinarian offices.
I must encourage you to never punish or discipline your runaway pets.
They will have no idea what you are talking about and can not relate to the circumstances.
I believe that they will relate their return home with your punishment.
The next time they run, they may not come back.
We can save ourselves a whole lot of grief if we take precautions before a runaway happens.
Walk along the fence-line often to look for evidence of digging and for other indicators that a repair is needed.
Do not let your dogs leave your yard without being on a lead even if you are right there with them.
This is the law of the land in every city and small town in America.
Some dogs will run just to run while others run because something has attracted them and there is no way they are going to listen to you yelling behind them.
Now is the time to take very good photographs of your pets by taking close-ups from several angles.
If you ever need them for a flier, you've got them ready.
Your veterinarian can implant a microchip that is the same chip used within your local area.
When lost dogs are found, they will be scanned to locate the chip and from there, they are on their way home.
There is nothing better than peace-of-mind with being "family again" once lost dogs have come home.
By Drew Mezo
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