A missing dog is back home safe and sound after a great community effort and the cunning instincts of another dog.
Roo the Lurcher went missing from her adoptive home on the Ballymacool estate in Letterkenny last week.
A timid and shy dog, she took a fright and fled from her home.
She was last seen heading out into the countryside past Kelly’s DIY store.
As the days went past, hope faded that Roo would ever be seen again.
But members of the ISPCA Donegal Animal Rehabilitation Centre were determined to try and find the dog they had previously taken under their wing.
Denise McCausland, the centre’s manager revealed how the entire community got behind the search checking for Roo when they were out and about.
In the end it was another canine which helped steer Roo back to safety.
Denise takes up the story.
“Roo evaded capture last week from search parties and the dog trap but was eventually caught yesterday with the help of Bella, a team member’s working Border Collie.
“Bella is used to working with sheep and has no search & rescue training, but she amazed everyone by sniffing Roo out and crying to staff to alert them.
“Roo was hanging around the area where the trap was set but would not go in. With fresh paw prints visible, we knew she was circling back there at least, so we brought out Bella hoping she could steer the search party in the right direction.
“Little did we know how successful it would be when Roo popped out and followed Bella close enough to staff to secure her.”
Denise said that everyone is delighted to have Roo back describing her a special and loving dog.
She said “We are beyond relieved and delighted; we are also very thankful to all the kind people calling in sightings and to the Dog Wardens for loaning us the dog trap and providing invaluable advice and support.
“Thank you also to Letterkenny Garda for getting the call out to all on duty to keep an eye out for her. We are also thankful to local businesses for keeping an eye out for her, the residents of Ballymacool Estate, as well as the lads in the building site for keeping a close eye too.
“Roo is well, she has a few scuffs and scratches, she has lost a lot of weight, but that will be easily fixed! She is now fast asleep on a comfy bed with a full belly, dreaming of her adventures, no doubt.”