UPDATE: Sammy is home!!

Reuniting lost pets with their owners is the best feeling ever.

By Jacque Estes
| 8:10 a.m. December 19, 2015

Social media is a great way to reach out to others, when pets go missing. Courtesy photo

• Jennifer Vega shares her house with four adorable pups, Sallie, the Yorkshire terrier; Brobee, her “teddy bear” and Shih Tzu’s, Sasha and Shiloh. She also has an Amazon parrot named Alix, being featured this week. Courtesy photo

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

UPDATE: I am happy to report that Sammy was picked up by Palm Coast Animal Control on Friday, Dec. 18, at the Palm Landing Apartments in Town Center. He was taken to Flagler Humane Society, and has been reunited with his family.

On Monday, Nov. 23, Sammy dug under a gate to go exploring. He hasn’t been home since.

From his photo, Sammy looks to be a corgi/Labrador mix, and well cared for. He is 11 years old but still very active—too active—and loving. You all know how I feel about corgis! He was adopted from the Flagler Humane Society by Misty Alexander when he was six weeks old. He’s neutered, and has a microchip.

We have all had the experience, the sinking feeling when a dog, or cat, slips the collar, darts out of the house, or digs under the fence. It doesn’t mean the owner isn’t a good owner. It means pets are faster, and sneakier, than we are.

Shortly after we took custody of Kodi for our son, who was headed off to Africa in the Peace Corps, Kodi tried to run away. Well not really run, he darted out the door and jumped into the back of the UPS truck while my husband was accepting a package. We were lucky.

My heart goes out to Susan Percopo-Fuentes, not only because the dog is still missing, but because she was watching Sammy for her friend.

If you lose a dog or cat:

Go to the shelter and fill out a lost pet report. Shelters will have someone take you through the entire shelter, not just the adoption area. Animals that are injured may be in the infirmary, or, if it’s been less than five days, they will take you through the stray holding area.
Put up posters, go on social media.
Check vet offices. Most will allow you to post a photo.
Visit the shelter every day. They get lots of animals and what you think looks like a corgi they may think looks like a basset. You know your pet.
Call and visit all of the shelters in the area. This includes Halifax Humane in Daytona, and St. Augustine Humane.
As you search, tell people you see, especially mail carriers and lawn maintenance people. They are outside and moving around your neighborhood. Give them a card with your phone number so they can call if they see your pet.

I spoke to Susan recently, and she told me posters went up immediately. She filed a missing pet report with the Flagler Humane Society and posted on multiple social media sites. The only response she received was on Thanksgiving Day when someone called to say they saw, and spoke to, someone who put Sammy in their car to take home, feed and clean up. Then they were taking him to the humane society. Susan and Misty have gone to the shelter many times, hoping to find him.

The folks who picked him up helped keep him safe from harm. If the shelter was closed when they found him keeping him until the next day makes perfect sense. But now, it’s time for Sammy to go home. There’s a 4-year-old girl, Raelyn, who misses her pup.

To return Sammy to his home, call Susan at 569-7296; Misty at 864-1273; or email me [email protected].

I guess I am hoping for a Christmas miracle for Sammy’s family. He’s been gone almost a month, but I’m an optimist. I want to hear that he has been found and reunited with his family.