Introduction
On January 28th, Kelly Smith’s dog Ted went missing from their home in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. Ted is a 3 year old golden retriever who is much loved by Kelly and her two young children.
Kelly had let Ted out into the backyard that evening around 7pm like usual. But when she went to call him back inside 30 minutes later, Ted was nowhere to be found. Kelly and her family searched all around their neighborhood and nearby parks, but there was no sign of him.
Kelly notified local shelters and rescue groups and posted about Ted’s disappearance on social media, but so far there have been no sightings after 6 days. Understandably, Kelly and her kids are extremely worried about what might have happened to their beloved family pet.
When and Where Ted Went Missing
Ted, a beloved family dog, went missing from his home in the suburbs of Springfield on the evening of February 14th, 2023 around 7pm. According to the owners, Ted was let outside into the fenced backyard like normal. However, when the family went to bring Ted back inside an hour later, he was nowhere to be found. The gate to the backyard was still closed and locked, so it appears Ted managed to dig under or jump over the 6 foot fence surrounding the property.
The exact location Ted went missing from is the Smith family home located at 123 Main Street in the Maple Hills neighborhood of Springfield. This quiet, residential area has many houses with big yards, separated by fences and trees. There are some wooded areas around the neighborhood where Ted may have wandered off to.
According to this source, some steps to take when a dog goes missing include searching nearby by car and on foot, contacting local shelters, vets, and lost pet networks, and posting on social media sites like Facebook and Nextdoor (source).
Search Efforts So Far
Ted’s owners, the Smith family, have spent every day since Ted went missing on June 2nd searching for any signs of him. They have posted flyers throughout their neighborhood in Sammamish and shared Ted’s photo on lost pet Facebook groups like Lost Dogs of King County. Dozens of volunteers from the community have helped the Smiths search miles of nearby wooded trails and parks where Ted liked to play and explore.
Local animal control and shelters have been alerted that Ted is missing. The Smiths visit these facilities daily to see if anyone has brought in a dog matching Ted’s description. They also hired a professional pet detective from the Retrievers who has used scent tracking dogs to pick up Ted’s trail. However, heavy rains since Ted went missing have made picking up his scent difficult.
While the search continues, the Smiths ask that neighbors be on the lookout for Ted and refrain from chasing or approaching him if seen, as this may cause Ted to run further away. Anyone who spots a dog matching Ted’s description is encouraged to immediately call the Smith family or local animal control.
Ted’s Description
Ted is a 2-year-old brown and white Chihuahua mix, weighing about 15 pounds. He has pointed ears, a curled tail, and a white spot on his chest shaped like a heart. Ted’s front left paw has a black spot on it from an old injury when he was a puppy.
According to the Humane Society, when looking for a lost dog it’s important to provide a detailed description including age, breed, color, and any distinguishing features so people know exactly what to look for. Providing a picture is also very helpful.
See: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-find-lost-dog
Ted’s Temperament
According to his owners, Ted is a very friendly and outgoing dog. He loves people and is known to run up to strangers for pets and attention. Ted’s friendly demeanor means that if someone spots him wandering alone, he will likely approach them without hesitation. This increases the chances that a kind stranger may be able to contain Ted until his owners can be contacted.
However, Ted can also be quite shy around new environments and situations. When faced with unfamiliar territory, he has a tendency to hide and keep to himself. This shy side of Ted’s personality may make it more difficult to find him if he has traveled far from home and is in an area he doesn’t know well. His wariness around new people and places means Ted may avoid interactions that could lead to his return home.
It will be important for search efforts to focus both on areas where Ted may interact with friendly strangers, as well as isolated spots where he may go to hide if feeling overwhelmed. Knowing Ted’s dual personality will help tailor outreach and expand the possibilities of where Ted may turn up.
Appeals for Sightings
The family of Ted has made several appeals across social media and local news outlets for help in locating the missing dog. They are urging anyone who sees Ted to immediately call the number listed on his collar tag – 555-1234. Sightings can also be reported by emailing [email protected] or by messaging the ‘Find Ted’ Facebook page.
According to the ASPCA, posting about lost pets on platforms like Facebook can be very effective for finding missing animals. The wide reach of social media allows lost pet alerts to be seen by many people very quickly. The family hopes that by circulating Ted’s photo and description widely online, someone will recognize him if spotted and contact them right away.
“We are pleading with the public – if you see Ted, please call us immediately,” said the tearful owner in a video appeal posted on the local news station’s website. “We just want him back home safe.”
The Family’s Plea
Ted’s family is devastated after his sudden disappearance. As the Gazette reported, the loss of a pet can affect children’s mental health and potentially trigger issues (https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/09/losing-a-pet-can-affect-childrens-mental-health-study-finds/). Ted’s owner, 9 year old Katie, tearfully said “Ted is my best friend. I just want him to come home soon.”
Studies have shown that the death of a pet during childhood is associated with increased risk of psychopathology symptoms (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7943653/). Katie’s parents are very worried about the impact on their daughter if Ted is not found.
“Our hearts are breaking too, but we need to stay strong and bring Ted home,” said Katie’s mom. “He’s a part of our family and we miss him so much. Please help us find him.”
Expanding the Search
As time passes without any sightings of Ted, it becomes increasingly important to expand the search area. Start by widening the perimeter around where Ted originally went missing. Search thoroughly within a 5 block radius, then expand out to a 10 block radius if needed (1).
When expanding the search area, focus additional efforts on places where lost dogs are often found. Visit nearby animal shelters and leave a lost pet report with Ted’s description in case he is brought in (2). Check back regularly for any updates. Post fliers with Ted’s photo and information at local veterinary offices, pet stores, and dog parks (3).
Expand patrols to include nearby hiking trails, parks, and wooded areas where Ted may have wandered. Bring an article of clothing worn by Ted’s owner to allow dogs to pick up his scent while searching. Schedule search parties at dawn and dusk when dogs are more active (1).
Widening the search zone significantly increases the chances of locating Ted or receiving a sighting report. But it requires extensive effort and assistance. Recruit as many additional volunteers as possible to help canvas wider areas effectively (2). With a larger search team covering more ground, Ted is more likely to be found.
Offering a Reward
Deciding whether or not to offer a monetary reward for a missing pet like Ted is a difficult choice. Some owners feel offering money will motivate people to be on the lookout. However, research has shown that monetary rewards do not actually improve recovery rates for missing pets. In fact, rewards can encourage pet theft by scammers hoping to collect the money.
According to a study published in Missing Animal Response, “scientific research has actually shown that monetary incentives are NOT the best motivator at all!” https://www.missinganimalresponse.com/pet-detective-cases/to-reward-or-not-to-reward-that-is-the-question/
PetFBI also warns that “If you offer a reward you will be vulnerable to scammers.” They recommend not offering a reward at all. https://petfbi.org/i-lost-a-pet/the-reward-debate/
While the family desperately wants Ted returned home safely, experts advise against offering monetary rewards for missing pets. Kindness and community are stronger motivators.
How You Can Help
The family is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ted. Here are some ways you can help with the search efforts:
If you live in the area, please keep an eye out for Ted when you are out and about. Ted was last seen in the neighborhood around Elm Street and Maple Avenue on Tuesday evening. He may still be in that general vicinity.
Share Ted’s missing dog flyers and information on social media to spread awareness. The more people that know Ted is missing, the better chance someone may spot him.
If you do see a dog matching Ted’s description (golden retriever, red collar), approach cautiously and contact the owners right away at 123-456-7890. Do not chase after Ted, as he may get scared and run away [1].
Consider joining one of the volunteer search parties being organized on weekends to canvas the neighborhood. Check the “Finding Ted” Facebook page for more details.
If Ted is spotted, keep an eye on him from a distance if possible and contact the owners immediately. Try luring him with food, but do not chase him. The goal is to keep him in the same area until his owners can arrive [2].
Report any Ted sightings to his owners right away, even if it turns out not to be him. Every potential sighting is worth investigating.
By working together and keeping eyes out for Ted, we can help bring him home safely!