Northwoods Mastiff

Molly

Lost: August 7, 2014

Retrieved: August 23, 2014

Outcome: Returned to Owners

Case Manager: Bobbi Jo Hemphill

The Retrievers were first contacted by one of our Facebook fans about a dog, wondering if we could help.  Molly the Mastiff had been vacationing in Northern MN with her family at a cabin and had gotten loose from her tie out.  She was a former puppy mill girl who was skittish and was hesitant to approach anyone.  Per our request, Molly’s owners contacted us directly and we agreed to do our best to help her and them.  Bobbi Jo from our team lives near the area and became the case manager.

Molly’s owners who lived 4 hours away in the Twin Cities returned the following weekend to assist in getting awareness in the area.  This was very important because soon after flyers were distributed to residents in the area of the point of flight and signs posted, the calls started coming in.  Many had seen Molly and she appeared to be remaining in the area of the resort and golf course she took flight from.  During the distribution of flyers to the area, Bobbi Jo (BJ) met a wonderful couple named Kathy and Tom, who lived nearby.  They offered to help however they could in the mission to bring Molly home.

Based on reported sightings, BJ and Kathy set up a feeding/water station and a Missy Trap in a secluded area nearby.  It was their hope that Missy would catch scent of the food and grow accustom to feeding there.  BJ also set up a trail camera to confirm that it was Molly that would be visiting and eating from the feeding station.  The Trap was set up, but the gate was locked open.  This would allow Molly to gain comfort in entering and leaving the trap at will for food and water, so when the time came to catch her, she would not hesitate to go into the trap.

BJ and Kathy diligently kept the food and water stocked and after two nights, they finally had a sign.

First Picture of Molly

First Picture of Molly

A picture of Molly standing right in front of the camera.  She had found the food and trap.  For the next few days and nights Molly visited at all hours and would often linger around for up to 90 minutes.  Her owner’s clothing with their scent was hanging on the trap and Molly’s blanket was also in the trap.  We feel she felt comfort in the scents and that is why she lingered for long periods.  The time was right for capture.

That Friday I drove up from the Twin Cities.  I brought our Sensor/Magnet set up and our deep cell marine battery.  The location of the trap was in the remote forested area and the battery could be used to power the sensor/magnet if a vehicle to power them was not available.

We set up the sensor/magnet/battery and armed the trap ready for capture.  We also set up our two Cellular Trail Cameras.  If we did not capture Molly in the daylight hours, there was no way we would see if she was near the trap because it was pitch black with zero light out there after dark.  We set up camera 1 about 40-50 feet from the trap, on the trail she had been using to get to the trap.  A picture sent from this camera would alert us that she was on her way and approaching the trap.  The other Cellular camera was aimed right at the trap so we could watch her in almost real time while she lingered around the trap.  We also had two regular trail cameras set up near the trap just to capture as many photos of the capture as we could.

We waited for a few hours.  Some rain showers hit us off and on and there was no sign of Molly before it got dark.  At that point we were blind and relying on the cameras and listening for the noise of the gate to close….

At approximately 9:45pm, Camera 1 sent us a photo.  It was Molly and she was approaching the trap!

Molly on Camera 1 Approaching the Trap

Molly on Camera 1 Approaching the Trap

Shortly there after, Camera 2 starting sending photos and we could see the red lights of one of the regular cameras turning on and off.  Molly was at the trap and was lingering and taking her time to go in.  BJ, Kathy and I were sitting in my jeep about 50 feet from the trap and we suspect she saw my jeep and was weary of the new element near the trap.

As we sat on pins and needles in the jeep whispering and waiting, at 10:30 we heard it.  The gate had closed!  I turned on the headlights and Molly was captured in the trap!

We calmly approached the trap and she was anxiously trying to find a way out.  There wasn’t one.  After a few moments, she calmed down and I got in the trap with her.  She shut down and seemed to take comfort in the pets she was getting from all of us.  At this point, it was obvious she was relieved and knew we meant her no harm.  We put a martingale collar on her and used a leash and a slip lead to move her into my jeep for transport back to the Twin Cities and home.   It was now midnight by the time I hit the road for the 3 1/2 hour drive.  Shortly after we got on the highway, I heard a loud sigh of relief come from Molly.  She slept the whole way home…

Ready To Go Home

Ready To Go Home

Molly stayed with me until the following afternoon when she was reunited with her dad.  Molly the Mastiff is now safely back home with her loving family.

Once again, Bobbi Jo as the Case Manager for Molly executed a plan perfectly.  Her guidance and the overwhelming support and help from Kathy and Tom made Molly’s safe capture possible.  They worked the plan and the plan worked for them and Molly…

Welcome home and be safe Molly…

The Lonely Pup

Cash/Lucky

Lost: Unknown

Retrieved: August 15, 2014

Outcome: Transferred to 4 Luv of Dogs Rescue

Case Manager: Bobbi Jo Hemphill

Retriever Bobbi Jo was contacted by a resident of her hometown in northern Minnesota about a black dog that had been hanging out near his business on the outskirts of town.  The dog appeared to be young and limping.  He was black and very skittish and would not let the man get near him.  Bobbi Jo had recent experience in the same town in capturing two goldendoodles (see that story here), and she jumped into action.

Bobbi Jo (BJ) immediately got awareness to the various outlets and authorities in hopes someone would come forward claiming to have lost the dog.  That never happened so we assume the dog had been dumped to fend for itself.

At the same time, BJ set up a feeding station in a secluded area of the property near where the dog had been seen.  She also set up a trail camera to get pics of the dog using the food/water station and she set up a wire kennel as shelter for the dog and to get it comfortable with entering an enclosure and to prepare him for capture in the trap.

For two weeks, each day BJ would stop by a few times a day to restock the food and water and check the camera.  The dog was staying in the area, eating from the feeding station and better yet, was feeding from inside the wire kennel.  The time was right to set up the trap for capture.

I drove up the four hours on a Friday and BJ and I quickly set up a new trap we have.  A Retriever fan had graciously donated a Great Dane sized wire kennel that I converted to use as a trap with our sensor/magnet set up.  We felt a Missy Trap was not needed (but I did bring one with just in case).  We set the trap near where the feeding station was and then ran the 200 feet of wire to my jeep which was parked a distance away behind some tall grass.  We decided to forego the sensor because we planned to manually kill power to the magnet from my jeep when the dog entered.  We sat and we waited.

We waited a short 45 minutes before the dog emerged from the tall grass and approached the feeding station area.  He first knew something was different and watched my jeep from the area.  He did a lap around the wire kennel.  He then walked over to the trap and his hunger overcame his caution and he walked right into the trap for the food.20140815_131358 (1024x768)  We pulled the plug and the gate closed.  He was safely captured.

We did not confirm he was a boy until we calmly approached the trap.  He was a bit frightened/overwhelmed and peed, but we also confirmed him to be young.  Our guess was 6-7 months old.  After a couple minutes he was gently taking treats from BJ by hand and was already a sweet boy.

It was a hot and sunny day so we covered the top of the trap with a blanket to shade him.  We decided to name him Cash because his coat was all black and he was a surviving rebel like Johnny Cash.

We checked Cash for a microchip and there was none.

We loaded up the trap equipment and Cash into my jeep and then the trap itself onto the cargo carrier.  It was time to hit the road back home with Cash who would spend a couple nights with me until he went to rescue.   He slept all the way home in the cool AC of the jeep.

In the 48 hours I spent with Cash, I learned that he was a very, very sweet boy and just wanted to be a happy puppy and play with my two goldens.  On Sunday he was transferred to Fargo, ND to be fostered by 4 Luv of Dog Rescue.   At the time of this posting he is currently up for adoption.

We’re told he did well at his initial vet visit and is estimated to be 10-12 months old and his limp was from anaplasmosis, a tick borne disease.  Antibiotics will rid him of that.

A special thank you goes out to 4 Luv of Dogs Rescue for taking Cash into foster.  They already had a Cash in foster so we decided to change the name of our Cash to Lucky.  They will find Lucky a wonderful family and that family will be very lucky to have Lucky.

The plan from the start, to capture Lucky, was executed perfectly by Retriever Bobbi Jo.  Once again, she did a fantastic job in helping this dog and saving him.

Good luck and best wishes on a great life, Lucky.

Here’s a video of the capture shot from 200 feet away.

Jumpin’ Jasper

Jasper

Lost: July 17, 2014

Retrieved: July 19, 2014

Outcome: Returned to clinic

Case Managers: Devon Thomas Treadwell and Jessica Peterson

Jasper

Jasper

At 9:30 on a Friday night, a vet clinic in northeast Minneapolis contacted the Retrievers via our Facebook page, saying they needed help catching a dog. Jasper, a shepherd mix, was being boarded at the clinic while his family was in South Carolina. Jasper had managed to escape his leash and scale a 6-foot fence while on a potty break. The staff ran after him as he bolted into the adjoining yards, watching him clear four- and five-foot fences with ease.

I met teammate Jessica Peterson and Gina, a staffer at the clinic, at the site and we set up a Missy trap and cellular trailcam in the area of the sightings. The trap location was close enough to a residential street that we were able to plug a long extension cord into a neighbor’s outdoor socket to run the electromagnet/sensor mechanism. Knowing Jasper was a jumper, we secured the top of the trap with netting.

We wrapped up around midnight. When I got home, I configured my phone to play an alert on incoming emails, and went to bed.

We got the first alert around 5 a.m., but it was just a raccoon, attracted by the bait. (The sensor was placed high enough that the coon didn’t trip the gate.) Then at 6:59, we got our first look at Jasper, sniffing around the outside of the trap. Jessica immediately called the clinic staff, who lived a mile away.

At 7:06, the camera sent us a photo showing Jasper inside the trap. In the next few photos, we saw Jasper trying to dig under the trap. The ground was soft from recent rains, and for a few scary minutes, we were afraid he would find a way out of the trap.

Safe at the Clinic

Then at 7:13, the camera sent a shot of Gina on site. Within a few minutes Jasper was safely inside the car and at the vet clinic.

At 9 hours, 54 minutes from initial call to safe recovery, this was the team’s quickest trapping yet. Jasper knew exactly what to do!

I’m very happy for Jasper and especially his family, who were able enjoy their vacation again. The clinic staff made sure that Jumpin’ Jasper remained earthbound for the rest of his stay.

A Community Came Together…

Rosebud

Lost: Unknown

Retrieved: July 9, 2014

Outcome: Adopted by good samaritan that assisted

Case Manager: Mary Davis

One of the first photos of Rosebud in the garden with Jenny

One of the first photos of Rosebud in
the garden with Jenny

The Retrievers first became aware of Rosebud when she was posted multiple times as a sighting on the Lost Dogs MN Facebook Page.  She had been seen in Minneapolis over a period of time of at least 6-8 weeks running scared and growing thin.  The Retriever’s were contacted and consulted to help bring this very deserving dog to safely.

Through the powers of social media and networking we met one gal, Jenny, who had been trying to develop a relationship with Rosebud in a community garden. The Retrievers offered consultation, advice and direct assistance for for the safe capture of Rosebud.

It was in the community garden that Rosebud was first sleeping and eating food Jenny was leaving out for her.  Through time Jenny was able to hand feed bites of hot dog to Rosebud, but Rosebud would never get close enough to let Jenny touch her.   Rosebud got her name because of the Roses that were blooming in the garden and this dog had become Jenny’s buddy.  Thus “Rosebud”

Then Rosebud started spending less time in the garden  with Jenny.  Jenny and other good samaritans trying to help her noted her using the Greenway bikepath in Minneapolis as a route for her travels.  They often saw people trying to chase her and were trying to get the word out to please stop chasing this dog.  They would see her put a foot into the street and wait for cars to honk or stop for her and then she would cross the street.  Other times she was observed in the street in the middle of traffic. She was frequently crossing very busy roads. At one point there had been a live trap left out by a local animal control which was unsuccessful in trapping Rosebud.

Rosebud on the streets days before capture

Rosebud on the streets days before
capture

Jenny and her neighbor Jeff were trying desperately to rescue Rosebud.  Jenny and Jeff  searched for a possible family that was missing Rosebud.  For weeks they scoured online ads for a lost dog in the area.  They searched for posters or flyers about a missing dog in the community and found nothing.  If no family was found Jeff was prepared to offer Rosebud a forever home.

It was next determined that Rosebud was traveling 2.5 miles or more between 2 neighborhoods.  Rosebud was seen in one neighborhood daily at dinnertime over a period of several days.  One of the good samaritans living in that neighborhood, Stephanie, started a feeding station.  Because Rosebud had been seen near this location for 3 days straight, The Retriever’s put out their Missy trap at Stephanie’s feeding station for two nights.…. yet Rosebud continued to remain elusive.

By this time there were several good samaritans wanting to help and the community really started to join together in force.  Flyers were made and distributed, neighbor’s contacted neighbors through word of mouth and neighborhood websites and facebook.  People were trying to get the word out in the community about Rosebud and were asking people not to chase her but rather to call instead if she was sighted.

Then one morning a man on his way to work; 5.6 miles away from the neighborhood Rosebud was seen the evening before noticed a dog in the middle of a busy road.   He was able to lure her into his fenced in yard with bits of hot dog.  Rosebud was still very skittish…this kind man stayed home from work and sat in his yard with bits of hot dog trying to gain Rosebud’s trust.  Meanwhile his wife posted Rosebud on the Lost Dogs MN Facebook page asking, “is this your dog?”

At this time a diligent person who follows The Retrievers on facebook saw the posting on social media for a found dog and wondered if it could be Rosebud.  She notified The Retrievers immediately.

A view of Rosebud in the fenced in backyard of the good samaritan where she was captured.

A view of Rosebud in the fenced in
backyard of the good samaritan where she
was captured.

Soon the people closet to the search for Rosebud (Jenny, Jeff and Stephanie) arrived at this home.  It was Rosebud!   With patience and time, they were able to touch Rosebud gently and eventually have her walk into a crate.  Her time of roaming and scavenging to survive was finally over.

Rosebud just before capture. You can see the crate she eventually was corralled into

Rosebud just before capture. You can see the
crate she eventually was corralled into

There is no way to describe the relief the good samaritans felt when Rosebud was finally safe after a minimum of 6-8 weeks on her own. Rosebud was taken directly to a vet for an examination with Jenny and Jeff by her side.  As the pictures showed, the vet said she was emaciated, but for the most part in good health.   After the vet visit, she was taken to Jeff’s home.

The Retrievers really like the story of Rosebud.  Through the powers of social media, networking, consultation, and flyers, a small community was formed for the love of Rosebud and her safety.  She finally has good food to eat, a soft bed to lie in and people that love her.

At last report she is doing well and Jenny and Jeff say she has started wagging her tail and loving tummy rubs…

Rosebud relaxing at Jeff's house, several days after capture

Rosebud relaxing at Jeff’s house, several days after
capture

Shepherd on a Walkabout

Princess

Lost: May 12, 2014

Retrieved: June 6, 2014

Outcome: Returned to owner

Case Manager: Jen Eidbo and Greg James

Princess in the Missy Trap just moments after being safely captured

Princess in the Missy Trap just moments after being safely captured

Princess, a young German Shepherd, took flight from her home during the commotion of a medical emergency for her owner.  During the loud noise and open doors of the emergency responders, Princess bolted through one of the open doors.  She was seen numerous times over the course of the next three weeks and each time she seemed to settle into an area, another event would drive her away.

A friend of the owner reached out to The Retrievers to ask for help.  Angie had done many things right with flyering and awareness to the public, and it appeared that after a few days, Princess had settled into another area.  The area was rural with groves of trees, some newly planted cornfields and an interstate freeway within a 1/4-mile that had us all concerned.

With the assistance of Angie, a feeding station was set up near Princess’ safe area.  The landowners nearby had all seen Princess here and there and wanted to help however they could.  Once the feeding station was set up, Princess was seen returning to it frequently and Angie did a great job of keeping it stocked and safe.  We often try to keep feeding stations and the trap in conspicuous areas.  It was about a 200 yard walk to get food and water to the feeding station.  But the location was quiet and Princess grew to be comfortable with it.

After waiting for approximately 90 minutes with no sign of Princess, and with a severe thunderstorm moving in, Greg decided to pitch his tent behind his jeep and get ready for the night.  It was during this moment that Greg heard the gate of the trap close.  Upon looking through binoculars, it was determined that either Princess or a black bear was in the trap eating food.  After approaching the trap, it was quickly determined that it was in fact Princess, who was now trying to ram her way out of the trap gate that was locked.

Princess quickly calmed down after getting some pieces of hot dog from Greg.   Angie was called and showed up on-site minutes later.   Princess was covered in ticks and had mosquitoes landing all over her face for a meal.  Greg and Angie were able to coax Princess directly into a crate from the trap.  Once inside, Princess and the crate were slid on the ground to Angie’s car where she was loaded and immediately taken to the vet for care.  She had lost significant weight and the ticks and mosquitoes were of concern.

Princess was, for the most part, given a clean bill of health.  She had some sores and was given some Heartworm tablets, but no other long term effects.  She was happily returned to her owner and we’re told was very excited to see her.   Princess could hardly wait to get out of the crate to be next to her owner.

Thanks to Angie for reaching out to us and doing everything you did to get Princess home.  It was another successful ending and Princess is safe again.

Greg in the trap with Princess and feeding her by hand

Greg in the trap with Princess and feeding her by hand

PRINCESS

PRINCESS

Child’s Play

Harry

Lost: April 12, 2014

Retrieved: June 2, 2014

Outcome: Returned to owner

Case Manager: Jen Eidbo

My first sight of Harry was when I started leaving the area that he had been sighted in after driving around with no sightings.

Suddenly there he was, sniffing around on the side of the road. When I slowly approached in my SUV, he turned and walked into the woods. I parked, grabbed some food and headed in his direction but instead of following him into the woods, I sat down on the side of the road and threw pieces of treats into the woods. He was not far from me – maybe 20 feet or so. With each throw I got him to come closer to me until he was eating from my hand. We continued for a while and each time he took a bite, I touched his neck, then his ear and then gave him short scratches.

Harry’s collar was much too big for him and I knew that if I grabbed it, he could easily slip out of it. I moved cautiously as I only had one chance. I was also consciously aware that Harry may not be friendly and could easily take a chunk out of my hand or arm and although I was equipped with a slip lead, he was aware of my every move and would run off the moment I pulled it out. I put as much food into my right hand as I could and offered it to him. Once he started eating, I grabbed his collar and tried to twist it with my hand entwined to tighten it…no luck. There I was, sitting on the side of the road with no more food to offer and a dirty green collar. Harry had retreated back to the woods.

I quickly got in my SUV and made a mad dash to the nearest grocery store. There were 9 very large breaded chicken tenders left at the deli so I bought them all. I also bought some highly aromatic bacon treats.

Back on site, I found Harry sitting in one of the out buildings on the property – cooling off in the shade and I started to feed him again. I made a trail from the end of the driveway to my SUV that was parked closer to the house and Harry followed. I tried to lure him into the back of my SUV but it didn’t work.

By then, the family had returned home and I briefed them on what I was trying to do. They were happy I was there and were more than happy to help on any way they could. The mom went inside and the 3 kids (ages 7-10), played outside. I started to move the food and water from one area of the yard to another where it would be better suited for a trap placement. As I walked from one area of the yard to the other, Harry followed me but kept about 5 feet of distance. I returned to my SUV to gather more food and when I turned around, Harry was gone.

I looked all around and then I saw him up by the house. He was receiving “pets” from the little girl, Olivia. The boys, Brandon & Johnny came over and all 3 started petting him. I watched from a short distance and then asked the kids to see if they could get him over to the grass. They started walking and Harry followed. I gave the kids a container of treats and asked them to keep petting him and keep his attention. I then slowly crawled up to Harry’s backside and gently placed the slip lead around his neck.

Harry was not even startled as he was soaking up all the love and attention the “young retrievers” were giving him.

While I was busy gaining Harry’s trust, a diligent Retrievers FB follower searched through the Lost Dogs-MN site to see if they could find a match with the picture I had posted when I first saw Harry. Come to find out, Harry had been missing from his family for almost 2 months. There were no words to describe the heartfelt reunion between Harry and his family when they arrived at the shelter to take him home.

A joyous reunion!