Summer is almost here. The kids will be out of school. Vacations will be planned. Schedules and routines will change. What does this mean for your dog…..possibly disaster!
My neighbor just informed me that the Australian Shepherd he had been watching for a few days was lost. The pool man left the gate open and the dog fled. Unfortunate events like this happen, and more so in the summer when routines are changed.
It’s important to be prepared for a mishap like this. The owners neglected to put any identification tags on the dog nor was he chipped. Do yourself a favor, and check one or both of these tasks off your list before summer arrives. These dog owners could kick themselves now for not doing something so simple. They made the recovery of their beloved pooch much, much more difficult.
Once a dog escapes your yard, she can travel a very far distance in a very short period of time. Dogs that are friendly with their owners and other people can become scared, disoriented and confused when they get lost, not letting a stranger approach.
This summer play it safe. Remind the kids that the gates need to remained closed and latched as well as the front door. If you have any lawn care people or maintenance repair men coming over, put the dog in the house. And if you plan on leaving your dog with a friend or neighbor while vacationing, put a collar with a tag including your neighbors phone number so if the dog does get lost, the person who finds her is able to reach someone local.
Always check local shelters immediately if your dog goes missing. The sooner you start to look for your dog, the better chances you will find her.
