NINJA IS GONE - And Back!!!

edited July 2008 in Shiba Inu (柴犬)
Ninja is missing. My brother let the dogs out around 5:20pm - he left the door open and went back inside. I came home around 5:30pm and was only greeted by Portia. I went inside and put my things down and talked to my brother a bit. I went upstairs to our bedroom to get Ninja. He wasn't there. I then searched the whole house - no sign of him. I talked to my brother and he has no idea.

My only guess is that he jumped over the front gate. I have never seen him do it and he has never tried. But that is the only thing we can guess that happened. Other than someone opening the gate and intentionally letting him out. I put up LOST DOG signs all over my neighborhood. Talked to all my neighbors - no one has seen him. We drove around our usual walking route and asked people on the street with no luck. We drove around more to streets and neighborhoods we've never been to just to check and see. Still no sign of him.

I called all the animal shelters in our area with no luck and posted an ad in craigslist. This is the ONE thing i feared most. Ninja is fearful of strangers and will not approach them. If they try to approach him, he will run away. He has the worst personality to be on the loose in the public.

Is there anything else I can do??? This just seems so unreal to me. Not in a million years would I think that he would try to escape. It just doesn't make sense. If anyone has any other suggestions to try to find him - please let me know.
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Comments

  • edited November -1
    OH NO! THIS IS HORRIBLE NEWS!

    umm... did you try walking around w/ Portia? Maybe she can help find him.

    Is he registered w/ home again [micro chipped]? You can send out an alert via there site.

    Jen and I are sitting here brainstorming some ideas... if we come up with some better ones I will let you know ASAP.

    I'm really sorry Romi - but focus one finding him, don't give up or anything!

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  • edited November -1
    OMG!!! I'm so sorry! I think walking around with Portia is a great idea, Brad. And if Ninja is fearful of strangers, I doubt he would run out the gate if someone opened the door. I would call the police. If a dog were seen wandering the police is the only place people could call since animal control and animal shelters are probably be closed. In the morning, contact animal control so they could keep an eye open.

    As for putting up posters. Dogs can get pretty far, so I would put up posters within a mile radius at least. Also, put up posters at nearby parks within a mile radius as well.

    Good luck and keep us posted!
  • edited November -1
    I would use Portia to walk the paths you normally go on your regular walks. Go on foot mostly....i also would take you smelliest dirty laundry with you and attach the articles to drag line, scenting it back in a hansel and gretel way to your yard and keep the gate open. If he is familiar with your neighborhood he may return in a circle back to the house or general area in the darkness or early morning hrs.

    Keep and eye out for collar at fence lines or shrubs and also any storm drain areas. I also would ask kids in the neighborhood since they usually spot pets pretty quickly and are out an about playing off the beaten paths.

    Are there any sounds he gravitates to say wind chimes outside your door? If so ring them or your key etc. Whatever he associates with you. (Sounds nuts I know, but it has worked for some animals).

    Don't give up whatever you do. Keep checking with neighbors and shelter etc.
    Snf
  • edited July 2008
    this is just terrible!

    does he have any places he enjoys going on walks? and check your routine paths, too. maybe leave treats lying around in trails back to your home.

    so sorry to hear this...like everyone else said, do not give up! there is still a chance, still hope of finding him. I sympathize...I've felt that horrible shock before...
  • edited July 2008
    Thanks guys. We took Portia out for our daily night walk - hoping that Ninja would still be in the routine of things and be on the same route. Unfortunately no sight of him. We got in the car and drove around some more. No luck. Unfortunately Ninja isn't micro-chipped. We should have done it - we were planning on getting it done. I don't know why we didn't get it done sooner - that is our fault. He was not wearing a collar with any tags either - we only put the collar on when we take them out. I will be posting more fliers at local parks and starbucks. I will check in with animal control tomorrow morning again. Luckily - the animal control in my area is 24/7 and update their lost animals page every 30 minutes.

    SNF - I haven't thought about the clothing thing - tomorrow morning i will try that when I take portia out in the morn. The only thing he associates with us is the noise of the garage opening/closing - so no luck there.

    I left the front gate open and left the front door slightly open - so if he does come back - all he has to do is paw at the door and it will open. I am so worried about him, I don't know what to do.

    Thanks again for the suggesstions.
  • edited November -1
    I'm SO sorry to hear this... my heart goes out to you!!!!

    I haven't owned a dog in 5 years (until Keiko) because I lost my last Border Collie - he was an amazing escape artist.

    I hope someone finds him and is able to coax him into feeling comfortable enough until he gets back to you.

    You'll be in our prayers.
  • edited November -1
    Here are some ideas on how to find a lost dog…

    Here are some tips on how to find a lost dog, since I could not remember everything off the top...

    http://www.petrescue.com/library/find-pet.htm

    http://www.lostdogsearch.com/index.htm


    also notify shiba rescue nearest you so if anyone calls they know the dog is lost. You can also post a lost dog on petfinder.

    Snf
  • edited November -1
    Romi: Go to the shelters and check. I don't know how many times I've heard of people calling the shelters and being told that no dog matched the description and then the people actually visited the shelter and their dog had been there the whole time.
    -Patty
  • edited November -1
    Oh no I'm so sorry Romi. I hope you find him soon :( If there's anything I can do let me know and I'll help.
  • edited November -1
    Oh my good, I'm so sorry, I will keep all my fingers crossed for happy ending.
  • edited November -1
    I don't know if this helps or not, but it seems he would show up when he gets hungry, and/or at night... so maybe sit outside for a few hours tonight on your porch with some dog food and see if he shows up. It would just suck if he shows up tonight and can't get in.

    I'm so sorry Romi & John. We will have our fingers and paws crossed here - with you guys in our thoughts.

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  • edited November -1
    Guys - I am so sorry to hear this. You've been given excellent advice and I have no more that I could offer. Please let us know what's going on - you'll be in my prayers and on my mind.
  • edited November -1
    I'm so sorry to hear this. Not much else I can tell you that hasn't been posted. Best of luck finding the litle guy.
  • edited November -1
    I'm very sorry to read this. You got some very good advice, I hope you find him soon. Maybe you can use Portia to track him down, I don't know if that would work but she might be able to help. Maybe if you give her his collar to smell.Don't know, just a thought.
  • edited November -1
    Romi,

    About the only advice I could add is to contact every vet's office in a 15-20 mile radius. If he simply escaped, and is found, he'll end up in a shelter. You've got that angle covered. However, if he was actually stolen (or did escape but was found by someone who decided to keep him), sooner or later he'll be taken to a vet -- at least if they are at all responsible. Let them know, provide photos, specific physical or medical characteristics, etc. If someone shows up one day as a new owner of a full-grown Shiba that matches Ninja, and with no medical history to provide, then .....

    So sorry to hear this. Best of luck.
  • edited November -1
    oh my gosh...
    this is just awful. I'm so sorry Romi and John.. but don't give up!
    call all shiba rescues and shelters and breeders and dog parks and meet up (.com) groups around you and get the word out!
    I wish I could fly across the country and form a search party for you.. keeping our fingers crossed here..
  • edited November -1
    So sorry to hear about his Romi. I agree with what everyone has said. You may also want to call the local police departments (I know it sounds strange) but at least where I live in PA, many people call and/or drop off dogs at the police department versus the shelter. Surprised me when I moved here.

    I can truly empathize with you as I owned Siberians for years and they are notorious escape artists so I had many nights alone that I looked for them. Luckily, none of mine ever got hurt and they all eventually got picked up or came home on their own. But it is very sad and nerve wracking. Because of that, I NEVER let my dog out in the yard without his tags (even though my Shikoku doesn't seem to want to escape) because of my experiences with Siberians.
  • edited November -1
    Romi, I am so sorry. I know this has to be your worst fear come true. But Ninja seems to be a smart pup, and he will find his way back, none worse for the wear I bet. Just keep looking and calling around. And keep the gate open for him. You, John, Portia, and Ninja are in my thoughts.
  • edited November -1
    One final thought.... if he was found by someone who out of genuine concern would not turn him into a shelter, I presume they would search local classifieds and bulletin boards at places like supermarkets to find the owner, as well as contact shelters and leave their name and number. Even in this day and age, not everyone is that Internet oriented. So Craig's list is fine, but I would place a lost ad in the local papers, and post notices on public bulletin boards as well.
  • edited November -1
    maybe you can do something like this?
    http://sites.google.com/site/bringbellahome/
  • edited November -1
    Thanks EVERYONE for your kind thoughts and words !!! NINJA came back this morning at 5:35a.m. He was extremely thirsty and tired. I will let Romi tell you guys all the details. I am soooooooooooo relieved. Thanks again for your support !!!


    John
  • edited November -1
    Thank goodness! I am so glad he came back on his own! Virtual hugs to all of you!
  • edited November -1
    AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! I bet you are both so relieved!
  • edited November -1
    Oh such wonderful news.
    I am just now reading this thread for the first time and I was so saddened. Of all people, Romi is so loving and concerned about her (as well as others) pets. I am so relieved that Ninja is where he belongs.
  • edited November -1
    That is AWESOME! I'm so glad Ninja is back and his only problem was being thirsty.

    Now go out and get that boy microchipped, today!
  • edited November -1
    Great news! You guys must feel so good now. What a relief!
  • edited November -1
    So happy he's okay! What a relief for you two, bet you didn't sleep well last night.
  • edited November -1
    EXCELLENT news! I'm glad he's back and safe!
    I agree with Brandon, go get him chipped!
  • edited November -1
    What great news! It's always good to have a happy ending!

    On the micro-chipping, check out the Humane Society - Jazz was microchipped for $10 - a lot of places do the chipping at a very inexpensive price.
  • edited November -1
    wow - that's great, what a scare! I'm so happy he is home!

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