[angelakj]

I picked up Buddy this afternoon and drove him four hours to our home. He is just precious - beautiful - sweet. He's black with lots of chocolate tones. I was really worried because when you reach out to pet him he shrinks back and shakes. After about 20 min he was fine and would come up to me and let me pet him and look into his sweet eyes. He was fine on the way home and kept trying to get out of the back and up to me in the front. He's just a sweet baby. Anyway, the breeder told me he had never worn a collar or been on a leash. He carried him to my car. I asked if we should let him go potty before the trip and he said he didn't know what he would do if he put him down. I assumed he thought Buddy might be overwhelmed and run off. We got home with his $150 of new toys and gear and I put the collar on him and the leash and my husband picked him up and put him down. Well, Buddy wiggled once, twice and was out of the collar. He ran up the driveway and jumped around and then dashed off into the woods. We called and called and couldn't get him back. We had written him off for lost since he doesn't know the area or our home. About 15min later he emerged from the woods soaking wet - he obviously went swimming in the river. I called him and he came pretty close then dashed off into the woods again. I could practically hear the song "Born Free" playing in the trees! My husband and I have deduced that this poor guy was probably tethered his whole life with no socialization at all. We're so sad because we have such a fantastic home to offer him if he'll just come back. We are very, very rural and now we have "unleashed" an unneutered dog without the rabies vaccination into the wild. I'm just sick. He's such a wonderful guy and with lots of love and attention I just know he would be great and so happy. What do I do? I'm going to put the crate on the porch with a blanket inside. I think I'll put a bowl of food in there as well. We let Cody out to try and bring him back but nothing came of it. I'm so sad. I really believe the breeder is a good guy but how could a puppy be so isolated that he ends up like this. He shrank back with his tail between his legs shaking at the thought of being approached. I don't think he was physically abused - just ignored. Now I'm also worried about him getting sick or even aggressive/wild/dangerous and being in the woods near my children. Could I have just lost the animal that will attack my children one day? I'm just sick.

 

[angelakj]

sigh....

You know - I don't even think he knows his "name". We live in a really small town and there's no animal control. I'll just pray to St. Francis and keep looking for him. Poor little guy. I hope he comes home.

 

[angelakj]

Thanks,

I'm going to notify all the animal shelters in the area today. I have put the word out on a fly fishing forum that all the local guides post on and local fishermen. If he ever comes home we're going to name him Rocket. I think he's long gone. I got up several times in the night to check the bed and food I left on the porch for him and he never showed up. Also, Cody was running around this morning like normal so his scent isn't around either. I'm going to give him a few days to come home and then I'm going to contact the breeder of Cody. I cannot do that again with an adopted dog. It's amazing how attached I got to him so quickly and now he's gone and I'll worry about him forever. I'm going to just get a puppy and deal with all the puppy issues I was hoping to avoid. My little heart is broken for Buddy.

 

[angelakj]

He's still gone..

No sign of Buddy The radio station made an announcement and I have lots of people in the area looking for him. I'm afraid he's really gone.

 

[angelakj]

no

I'm in Arkansas and the breeder is in Kentucky.