I went to a park near my house around 6:45PM. At 7:30 we were getting ready to go. As soon as I was going to put him in his crate in the car, some fireworks started going off very near us (100 yds). My 4 1/2 month old went insane and escaped from me and started running like a mad man. I've never seen him running so fast.

I ran after him but lost sight instantly. Someone told me he went that way, and further ahead someone told me he was going in the opposite direction. There is some heavy traffic surrounding the park.

I called my family and friends, and together with the park police (a guy in a scooter) looked for the dog for approximately 2 hours. I called his name, clapped my hands, whistled. Nothing.

For what it's worth, the dog wasn't run over by a car, at least on the streets near the park. I drove around and didn't see any sign of him, dead or alive.

Ruy is a beautiful puppy, extremely friendly with people, and I'm afraid that if someone got him they wouldn't want to return him.

I feel like shit. He didn't have a tag with his name because he ate the one I got him. He did have a collar on.

I planned on leaving some flyers in the park and nearby first thing tomorrow morning, as well as a newspaper article, and would like to know what you recommend I write (reward amount, etc). Some prayers would be appreciated as well. I'm really depressed.

Here are some of the last pictures I took of him:

doesn't work so here are the links...
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3

OMG Richard, I am so sorry to hear that. You guys will be in my thoughts and prayers.....

This is the Beagle, right? Maybe you could put in the flyer that he has medical issues that need attention and medication. That way if someone was thinking of keeping him, they may not and call. I know that is not real honest, but neither is keeping a lost dog when there is flyers all over. Or put on there that he requires a special diet.....
And I would not put a price for reward on the flyer, otherwise you will get all kinds of calls.....pictures and description of collar.
The other thing though, hound breeds usually go back to where they started, my hound did this once. I would check the park every couple of hours and call for him. Maybe put a sweatshirt that you have worn out where he took off at.

When I went back to the spot that is where my hound was laying down, on my coat, after about 4 hours. It sounds crazy but it happens with the hound breeds.

Please keep us posted!!!!!

Sending a prayer and a hug for you both. I'm so sorry this happened, Richard.

Call every vet/shelter/emergency hospital/animal control officer in your area and let them know about Ruy and give them a copy of the flyer to post. There are a lot of good-hearted people out there who will move heaven and earth to locate the owner when they find a lost dog.

Please let us know what happens.

I don't understand the "all kinds of calls" comments, Carol. I will put a colored picture on the flyer.

My mothers dog got lost a couple of years ago and they returned it 2 weeks later. I can't imagine spending 2 weeks away from this little guy, specially because he's 4 1/2 months old and in that age where everything is important. Don't know if I'm making much sense since I took a cocktail of Xanax & Ambien + some vodka.

I prefer getting 99 fake calls and one real one than none because I didn't offer money in exchange for the dog. Not sure how things go in the USA, but in this island... I'll refrain from saying something I'll regret. I planned on offering $250. Would you return the most beautiful puppy (not saying mine was, just hypothetical) for a $250 reward, even if you got along great with him? I was thinking of putting some karma comment in the flyer.

This is all my fault and I will have a hard time dealing with it if everything doesn't go perfect.

Oh man, so sorry to hear what you're going through. I went through something similar several years ago and contacted a (now defunct) pet-finding organization who recomended the following:

1)Overkill with the flyers/ads ASAP....put them EVERYWHERE
make sure the flyers have photos; even if someone has the intention of keeping your guy, a neighbor might recognize him from the photo and call you
2)No mention of the dog's name in the flyer/ad, or the color of collar (you can mention he was wearing one though)
3)It doesn't hurt to mention a need for unspecified dietary requirement (he's eating raw, right? )
4)physicly be around/knock on doors as much as possible
5)mention a reward but not an amount
6) contact every vet/rescue/trainer/groomer in the area, sending
them a copy of the flyer/photo. If someone brings him in as lost, or as "their" new pet, these organizations can get in touch with you.
7)WHEN (not if) he's returned, have him permanently identified in some manner (microchip/tattoo) and register the number with the appropriate organization so there is always a way to trace him back to you, collar or not.

I hope he comes home on his own long before you even get halfway down the list....he's a hound; they have great noses and they tend to know where they live. I'm crossing my fingers and saying a prayer for you.

Oh Richard, I'm so sorry. I know how much this little guy means to you. Don't beat yourself up too bad, sometimes these things just happen. I think if you put your heart & emotions on that flyer, anyone who may be thinking of keeping him will realize how much he means to you & return him. Please know my heart goes out to you.

I too am sorry you are going through this...for what it's worth, my first dog took off just 2 weeks after I moved to Seattle. (roomies left the door open while I was at work) That dog was gone for 5 days!!! I posted flyers like crazy and an ad in the paper, noting that she needed meds. I did get that dog back. She was 6 miles away over 2 bodies of water and found beneath I 90 and I 5 interchanges...

I hope you get your pup back. Stay persistant...

The all kinds of calls comment was made thinking of my parents, who lost their African Grey parrot, they advertised a $350 reward and I think they had about 10 calls on "found" AG parrots. When they asked for the band number the people were at a loss, since all band numbers are different.

Might not pertain to this, but I remember how excited my mom would get and then how upset afterwards. It broke my heart. But I totally understand your point on 99 to one calls also.

The bird was found 60 miles away and the lady was smart enough to call around to pet stores to see if anyone reported a missing bird.
It was kind of my fault since Mom had been asking me to trim his wings and I had not done it yet.

Damn it!! Oh man Richard, I'm sorry to hear about you losing your lil guy. Stay positive. Do the overkill on flyers as suggested. Make calls. I would probably live at the park hoping he comes back like Carol said.

JMO, but I think Carol is right. If you post a reward, you may be getting a ton of calls from people that don't have Ruy. You may even miss a call from the person who DOES have because you were answering a call from someone else. I would definitely say he has medical issues. People who are bad enough to steal a dog, won't take the trouble to keep a dog with medical issues. Good luck man!! Let us know when you find him.

Richard..

I am sorry to hear about your pup. I hope yyou get him back soon, healthy and happy to be reunited with you.

Best of luck!