Kiara's Story - Please read & keep this as a reminder...
I wanted to share the story of my little girl with you all for several reasons. I will post my reasonings at the end of the story. Some of you may have read it, many were there with us through it, but I wanted to share it anyways.
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On July 15th of 2004 my father and I visited our local humane society, as we often did. My father walked in front of me, as we looked through kennels and visited with each dog. As we were walking, he said "UH OH!" and we both laid our eyes on Kiara. He knew he was hooked and we were going to be bringing home a sister for Simba and Nala.
At fifteen weeks old she had been found wandering the street the shelter was located on. As others walked by, she would shy away and bark at them. However, as soon as they were out of her sight she came right back up to the kennel door wanting us to pet her. She wanted nothing to do with any of the other people visiting the shelter that day. She chose us. And that was it ... she came home with us that day.
She has learned so many commands, so quickly. Her first love was retrieving the tennis ball and soon followed by catching the frisbee right out of the air! Kiara, my mother, and I have spent many relaxing afternoons on the beach, playing frisbee while others watched in amazement. She quickly became one of the favorites of many in our community. She's stolen the hearts of those around her. Since day one Kiara has been very skittish with new things. With my encouragement, her and I have tackled many obstacles together. She still is skittish around new folks but has a very good reason for such.
On Monday, September 11th of 2006, our "perfect" little world had collapsed. Kiara was spooked from our yard and took off. We spent five days searching for her. We drove around, night and day, calling out her name. We posted signs on every business and pole imaginable and made our own poles to post in other areas. Everything in my life had come to a complete halt and my heart was torn to shreds. I would wake up, from whatever sleep I managed to get, thinking "Be strong ... we're going to find her today!" And then after searching all day and coming in for the night, I would break down in tears.
That Friday while my father and I were out searching we got a call from a man about five minutes from our home. He had cornered Kiara in his yard but because of her skittish nature he could not capture her. My brother, whom Kiara doesn't know too well, went to search in his neighborhood while my mother stayed home waiting for us to return. My brother spotted Kiara and she would not allow him to get close. He chased her for two or so miles trying to catch her. Around 5:00 PM my dad and I finally got the message that she was in the neighborhood and searched until 2:30 AM in that area. We spent most of the night posting signs, driving around calling her name, walking thru the woods, stopping and asking people in the neighborhood, with no luck whatsoever. We decided to call it a night and went home trying to get a bit of sleep.
For some reason I slept so soundly that night, even though I was just as exhausted as I was the previous nights. My father got up early that morning and went searching in the same area on foot. He was calling out her name and heard a bark. Not knowing if it was Kiara he followed the dog's bark. He spotted the dog but it was not coming to him. As he walked closer trying to figure out if it was her, he realized it was but she was still not coming to him. He got up to her and noticed there was a chain fence blocking her. He reached over, scooped her up and did not put her down until he got in the truck. She was a bit torn up, but overall in good health. The whole way home Kiara whined and kissed my father.
When they arrived home my dad brought Kiara into my room, as I was still sleeping, and awoke me from my nightmare. My little girl was home and my heart was once again whole.
The love, care, and support we received from our community - online and offline - is so incredibly overwhelming. Our little girl is home, our hearts are complete, and she has brought even more joy into our lives. I believe we are all very thankful, including our Kiara!
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As I sat and watched Emergency Vets with tears in my eyes, squeezing Kiara to near death. Three seperate dogs were brought in because they were hit by a vehicle. This is a fear that had run through my mind many times in September.
Kiara was a dog who I trusted off leash, anytime - anywhere - with anyone. She had a perfect recall, didn't care one bit about other people, cars, animals, dogs, etc. Not a care in the world. If another dog walked by our yard they went by without being noticed by Kiara.
Even when she was a tiny bit spooked by something she still came to me when called. NEVER had I expected her to run off.
But, it happened and I know there are many others out there with the mindset I had. That their dog's recall was perfect and something so horrible would never happen.
Please, everyone use caution when your beloved angels aren't contained or on lead. Please be cautious of your surroundings when your dogs accompany you.
AND PLEASE, if you ever find yourself in the same situation NEVER give up hope. There were many times I thought we were never to find her again. It was only a week but it felt what seemed like a lifetime. I was angry, I was upset, I was losing my mind. But I somehow kept myself strong and my little girl is laying right next to me wagging her tail as I type.
The 16th marked 6 months since Kiara has been home with us - here is one of the photos taken the morning of her return.
http://petevents.com/~simba/kiarastory1.jpg
So, please keep this in mind when you allow your dog offleash.
~Kay, Kiara, & the rest of The Muttlies
