Ohh man, that's terrible! My older sister lost her puppy last year, and she lives in the country. I felt like crap because I was really attached to that puppy. That same night, I strapped on my hiking backpack, and went searching for him. We called animal control, and put up flyers. 3 days later, her father in law found the puppy not too far from home.

As many have said, overkill on flyers, put them EVERYWHERE. Someone here also advised to call local animal control/shelters, and this is a good idea. Although I don't know if there is such thing as animal control/shelters in Puerto Rico.

Not long ago, I found a lost german shepherd puppy, and turned him in. Because local shelters already had a report of a shepherd puppy missing in my area (owners called), the puppy's owners were located. If you can't find him, don't give up! Keep searching! Good luck!

I'm so sorry, Richard. Most of us have experienced a lost pet and we can totally empathize; it's a horrible experience. You said you were just about to put him in the car, right? Does that mean you had already taken his leash off? If not, if he still had his leash on, then don't forget to check in bushes and the like...he may have sought shelther and gotten tangled.

Otherwise, I agree with the massive amount of flyers (especially in the park and surrounding areas) and don't be afraid to go door to door. Also, aside from calling vets and shelters...call the animal control office AND the local police. You never know who might have gotten a call about a "stray"...even if they didn't locate him, they could tell you where he last was.

And, KEEP CALLING these places. Different people work different shifts, and if one person heard about your dog it doesn't mean that they informed everyone in the office. Leave your name and number when you call (they don't always ask). Be a (nice) pain in the butt. You and your pup will stick in their memory.

And certainly return to the park. That's the last place he saw you...go at different times of day, too. If he's scared, he might show up when there aren't as many people and noises around.

Take heart with the other responses here: Many people lost their dogs, and many people got them back.

Don't give up, even if a long period of time has gone by. I know this sounds bad but here's the reality: If people see a healthy dog, they assume that he belongs to someone and won't necessarily grab him (they'll assume you're one of the types that just let their dog wander). Once he starts looking thin, or muddy, or matted...that's when people realize he's obviously been separated from his family.

However, he is a puppy, a cute one, and a non-threatening breed. That bodes well for an early return...people won't be afraid to approach him.

Please keep us posted. My heart breaks for you, but I feel hopeful for you, too.

Oh Richard, not little Ruy. I wish I could help you look. I'm so upset for you both, and have and will continue to pray. Go back to where he ran, comb the area calling his name and keep branching out. Even if he didn't respond yesterday, he may respond today. Some dogs when frightened by fireworks are so afraid that they won't respond even if you walked right by him. Look under bushes, along fences and walls. Look in all hidden areas, places he may have sought shelter in or under.

Do all that was suggested. Continue to look in the shelters, don't rely on people who work there to contact you. One contact is not enough, ever.

Your flyers need to have HUGE BOLD PRINT and need to be securely fastened, not just a couple of pieces of scotch tape. People drive by either can't see what it's about cause they're folded over in the wind or the print is too small and they won't bother stopping to read.

I would personally mention the reward amount...it's better than people thinking it's just $20 or something. Money is incentive. Also do mention the dog requires medication.

As far as getting lots of calls, temporarily invest in voice mail with the phone company so all calls will go through, whether you're on the phone or not. If you have a cell phone, put that number on the flyers as well.

Besides the great advice you've received, you might want to print this out and follow the steps:

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

One thing to really emphasize (after having been involved in a couple of successful searches) is to go from house to house. KIDS OFTEN KNOW STUFF, but they are not always asked.

Also, renew posters so they always look fresh and not outdated, and post the ones for cars at car level, and the ones for pedetrians at face level.

Photos are VERY important.

Don't just call shelters. The info about what animals are being processed is not always the info the telephone person has. Go, and go back.

I had my dog run of once in a similar situation - he was scared of my hawk chasinga rabbit. Could you leave your car parked where it was where he ran off? My dog ended up coming back 2 hours later from where he ran off to someone else's car (they had taken their dogs out and had left a bowl of water).

Lots of flyers and door-to-door I have found my dog another time that way too. Also flyers at vets offices as lots of people from the area will be in there each day with not much to look at whie they wait. Good luck!!

Richard I'm so very sorry!!

I know how much you love that little guy, I would be going out of my mind if it were my dog

You've certainly received some excellent and extremely detailed advice though - I really can't think of anything else to add.

You and little Ruy will definitely be in my thoughts.

GOOD LUCK, I hope you find him really soon. Try not to beat yourself up over it too much; we can all see how well you've been caring for the little guy, he's a lucky puppy to have you

Stay strong for him...

Got up this morning and went to the park with flyers. They have a lot of employees working there, and they all know me and Ruy. They all knew about it before I even told them. I put flyers everywhere (trees, bulletin board, bus stop). I also put flyers on the drive through window of a fast food nearby, and on the glass door entrance of a couple of gas stations.

I walked the park again but nothing. He was scared last night, but I'm sure someone grabbed him. If he's still there, he would've been out by this morning, and all the employees are aware of the situation. He was very friendly with strangers and only 4 1/2 months old.

There are no houses nearby to knock on doors. Only a couple of apartments buildings.

I had just taken the leash off since he was going inside his crate.

I didn't write the amount of the reward since it was suggested I didn't. I wrote "Generous Reward!" at the end of the flyer and I also wrote that he had a medical condition which required a specific diet.

My dog is the kind of dog that goes to every stranger to say hi, so I don't have to be worried that he's still out there wondering the streets. I'm just glad I didn't see his body run over by a car.

My main concern is that since there was a political activity going on last night (hence the fireworks), someone that actually lives far away might have taken him, and wouldn't be worried about someone else seeing them with the dog. I will put an ad on the newspaper, but I'm not sure how much that'll help.

Can't explain in words how horrible and depressed I feel. My last puppy was poisoned when he was 12 weeks old by some crackhead and now this.

Thanks all for your support.

I'm wondering why someone recommended I didn't write his name on the flyer. Is it because they might call him and he'll go to them? I honestly prefer that my dog goes with someone than having him on the streets roaming.

And the psychology behind not putting an amount for the reward is that people will call you more often? I would think it has more to do with the fact that if they find the reward to be little that they'll keep the dog?

I'm a student without income, but my parents would help in the reward department. I was thinking of offering $250. Is this too much/little?

Don't lose faith, Richard. He was lost last night so anyone who found him would probably wait until today, or even Monday, to start looking for you. And remember, while Ruy IS adorable and friendly he is also a 4 1/2 month old PUPPY so a person who might have the intention of keeping him may well rethink that after spending the weekend with him. Puppies are a lot of work.

Richard the reason you should not put your dogs name on the flyer is that it helps people rationalize keeping your dog rather than return him to you. They become overly familiar with the dog & the dog responds to them more. This is the reason I never put my dogs name on his tags.