(as told by Gina from Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter in Tomah, Wisconsin)

Lynn is a story of survival….She was out on her own for 59 days….She was a dog lost off of transport from Waco, Texas who arrived in Tomah, Wisconsin in October. She bolted from her crate on the day of transport on October 12th on Curry Street in Tomah. This is about three miles southeast of where she finally settled. The rescue group had an initial search party but didn’t have any sightings until we received one on October 31st.

Dogs can survive if not pushed, chased or forced to leave their “safe zone”. The eyes and reporting of Jessica, Bill and Lynn Rose made the difference in her recovery.

The efforts of Beth S, Pamela C, and Susan C were incredible. She was microchipped from the receiving rescue and they graciously turned her over to us. I am so grateful. When you spend 41 days trying to gain the trust of a dog on the run you become very attached. Dogs will often stay near where they were lost, they will stay if not pushed and have a food source. Patience is the key. She survived her cornfield being harvested, deer gun season, and Thanksgiving holiday travel.

In an effort to help other owners learn about lost dog behavior I would like to share a timeline of our involvement:

1. Contacted on October 31st about a brown and black dog that runs between Walmart and their farm by Jessica D. I went out that day and searched the area with no sighting. Went out several times over the next two weeks without seeing the dog.

2. Contacted on November 12th with a sighting of the same dog by Bill, he adopted Sasha, from CDAS. “I was leaving Walmart at 2110 and had just made the curve leading into traffic when a dog raced across the road from east to west. It went about 50 feet into the grass and sat down looking back to where it came from”. “It looked like maybe 35-40 pounds black & brown mutt”. “Straight across from the strip mall between Maurice’s and the traffic light”.

3. Contacted by Lynn at CDAS on November 24th at 0200, when I was there late at night checking on Idaho. She had left a voicemail about a stray dog running across Walmart parking lot consistently each night when she is doing a drop load there as a semi driver. The dog reportedly eats near the dumpster behind US Cellular.

4. Contacted Amber D at MCAS to let her know I was actively trying to live trap a dog that has been running at large for some time. November 24th.

5. Live trap set out at the US Cellular dump. The dog would eat the goods near the trap but not enter..November 24th

6. November 27th Meg Scott saw the dog run across highway 21 near the substation and Linda Johnson’s property. Live trap set up there too. The first night all food was eaten near the trap.

7. Thursday December 2nd, I went and walked the area near the cell tower. I also walked the land behind Johnson’s to Hampton etc….within the hour Beth sees the dog where I had walked….Live trap from Linda J’s moved to cell tower site. Family that rents the farmland agrees to let us set up trap. Pam & Eve contacted about the dog and I asked for help!

8. Friday, December 3rd Beth & I both observe the dog at the cell tower site.

9. Saturday, December 4th The beginning of the Missy Trap set up with Pam, Susan, Beth and me. Two back panels, two side panels on each side. Old pet porter in place. Confirmed sightings! 1850, 1900,

10. Sunday, December 5th Large old pet porter removed, new one placed. Bowl moved to back of Missy Trap. Confirmed sightings! 0248, 1300. 2211, 2253

11. Confirmed Sightings December 6th: 0350, 1239, 1436, 2200 for extended time. Brutal cold with Wind Chills

12. December 7th: Confirmed sightings at 0830 soon after Beth fed! Additional panels place. Hot broasted chicken left ~1100. Sightings: 1130 ½ hour after adding panels! 2100, 0100

13. Wednesday December 8th: 0819, 0900, Added several additional panels @ 1045. Watching in a field and we observed her coming back to the site as we were leaving. One hour later seen in Walmart parking lot and pursued to field…Additional equipment all placed….Finished around 1700. Trap armed until 1900…no sightings….Back at 0200

14. Thursday, December 9th: Lynn did not eat the food overnight at the back of trap….day of rest and no changes…..1005, 1500, 1530, 1600, 1630 near trap but will not enter! 2030 enters the trap! Spent about 6 minutes in the trap. Entered the trap during the night.

15. Friday, December 10th: Entered the trap 0700 looking for food…. Beth fed around 0800 and trap was armed…… 1000 successful trapping of Lynn and transport to CDAS. It took over an hour to gain her trust and get her crated. She tried to bolt!!! Lynn secure at CD

It was truly a group effort of the sightings by Jessica, Bill and Lynn. Then the help of Beth, Pam and Susan. The Missy Trap was the key to her rescue and God watching over her each day.

Gina M

Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter