Ruby’s Unplanned Appalachian Adventure
Hey, it's Allana, the RAL Social Media Gal, here to share my recent heart-wrenching experience with you. While visiting our hometown for Christmas, our dachshund Ruby went missing. Now, I've been working in rescue for over 11 years; still, nothing prepared me for the devastating experience of having my own fur baby go missing. So, I want to recount the ups and downs in the hope that it might help others facing a similar situation.
Ruby - the guilty party. Don’t be fooled by that face.
We had a wonderful Christmas with our family and planned to head back to Richmond on December 30th, but Ruby apparently had other plans. On the 29th, several of us went to a play, and as we were getting ready to leave the theater, my dad called and said the six words that totally rocked my world, "Ruby's gone. I can't find her." Cue the panic, the rush, and the worst 1.5-hour car ride of my life.
Let me set the scene for y'all. My hometown sits snug in the Appalachian mountains, just a stone's throw from the VA/TN border. It's a small town surrounded by woods, mountains, and valleys. My parents' place? A cozy spot nestled amidst nature's beauty.
Now, add darkness and snow to the mix. That's the stage for Ruby's vanishing act.
My parents’ house. Why would you run away from that?
Back at my folks' place, we kicked off the search mission. Clad in winter hunting gear, we scoured the streets, woods, and every other place we could think of, but Ruby remained elusive. After 3 - 4 hours of searching, we packed it in after midnight to try and rest so we could start again the next day.
I did not sleep for a minute with Ruby out there alone in the cold, snow, and the lurking presence of wild critters—bears, coyotes, bobcats—the Appalachian woods have it all.
Morning came, and it was time to hustle—flyers, calls, social media blasts—no stone left unturned. I hit the streets with my mom and husband to hang flyers, and to knock on doors, hoping for a lead with dad staying at home in case she returned. Nada. Ruby seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Despite our efforts, the day wore on with no sign of her. Desperation set in, leading me into the woods, wearing my mom's hiking boots and dad's old hunting coat. Not the most brilliant move, given my recent knee surgery, but desperation doesn't always make sense.
Look! It’s her!!
As hours passed, hope dwindled. While out buying a security camera to put on the porch, a call came. A cousin had a trail cam alert—Ruby was spotted! Relief washed over us, but she wasn't out of the woods yet (literally). The journey to retrieve her was going to be a challenge. She was spotted near a hunting cabin not far from my parents' house, but getting there in the dark is no picnic. Despite the challenging terrain, hubby hiked up the hill and through the woods in the dark to look for her. Not long after, we heard Dad's four-wheeler pulling into the driveway, and in walked my husband with a shivering, mud-covered Ruby cradled in his arms. She had been outside adventuring for 23 hours.
My husband, the hero, with a just recovered Ruby
What did I learn from this harrowing experience?
Flyers, social media, and cameras are your allies. Spread the word like wildfire, ask neighbors for camera footage, and leave someone at home in case your pet returns.
Multiple forms of ID are essential. Microchips or fancy QR code tags might not cut it in rural areas, so make sure your dog has a collar with an ID tag listing, at least, their name and a current phone number. A GPS tag/collar or a flashy light-up collar can provide extra security.
There is no shame in accidents. It could happen to anyone. Be prepared, but don't beat yourself up.
Never underestimate the power of a community coming together. Without everyone rallying behind Ruby, we would not have found her. All it takes is the right person seeing/sharing your post.
Don't panic: Avoid impulsive actions like hiking with a recovering knee (oops).
Different scenarios call for different approaches. Online footprints may vary, and some services might not be available in certain areas (example: my hometown does not show up on NextDoor, but the people are great at spreading the word in other ways).
Lastly, the biggest lesson - people will come together for animals. The outpouring of support from my hometown was overwhelming. Posts were shared, and people walked the streets calling for Ruby. It was heartening to witness and reinstated my faith in the power of community.
Remember, even when the odds seem stacked against you, hope, community, and a determined effort can bring your furry friend back home.
I think that Ruby was better prepared for her snowy mountain adventure because we do a lot of outdoor things with her. She goes hiking, kayaking, and on other adventures. We call her our SUD - Sport Utility Dachshund.
If your pet has gone missing or you find a lost pet, please visit our Lost & Found Pets page for more information.
