Four years ago a puppy mill mom was rescued and brought into the Lake County Animal Shelter where she gave birth to her pups. One of them was named Cassie and was soon adopted to a very loving family. When picking a name the son suggested they keep the name Cassie and add “dy” to it, making it Cassiedy, and so they did!
When their adorable Coon Hound Shepherd mix was old enough, mom SanDee D. of Indiana and family had Cassiedy spayed and microchipped at the same time. This would be a decision they would forever be grateful they made years later.
On the first Saturday in May, Cassiedy and her fur sibling Lincoln were in their yard where Cassiedy loved to lay down and “sunbathe”. The two were not wanderers, so when SanDee’s mom arrived home with her grand-daughter and saw Lincoln out front, but no Cassiedy anywhere including out back, concern turned into action.
Despite an immediate frantic search, there was no sign of Cassiedy. The fact that she did not stay with Lincoln led them to believe that perhaps she had been stolen. From a distance she might appear to be a rottie, and with a female there would be no quick way to know she was spayed. As with many cases, the truth will likely never be known.
Efforts to get the word out continued including flyers (even on the family mail box and garbage can), along with social media outreach. Despite some potential sightings that were followed-up on, non were Cassiedy. In addition to the usual concern, SanDee knew that Cassiedy’s allergies would likely flare up while away and without her prescription diet.
SanDee wrote on fb:
“Still no word! She needs to get home and soon! As she is on a prescription diet due to food/digestive sensitivity/allergy, so I’m sure she’s eating what she’s not supposed to. First, she gets a yeast infection in her ears (shaking head then scratching ears) then she starts breaking out with bald/hot spots. It took us almost a year to get her cleared up through medications and treatments $$$ and her dog food isn’t cheap either. But that’s what you do “fur” family!”
Then, on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, Chicago Police Officer Tzelepis and her partner Officer Taylor were on their way to get gas before heading back to their District for check-off when they spotted a larger dog walking back and forth in an industrial area. This area, and places like it, was often a place where strays might be “dumped”. In addition, it is an area where tractor trailers traverse routinely. The two officers knew what they had to do given their passion for animals and past experience stepping in with strays. And so they took a detour to see what was going on with this dog!
Officers are known for being prepared … these Officers’ prep includes having pet food and leashes handy just in case! When they arrived they put some food down and the dog quickly lapped it up. But it was clear it was not going to be rounded up to be leashed easily, even though she was wearing a collar with no tags. Officer Tzelepis called Animal Control to assist, along with making a call to some volunteers she had come to know who make it their business to assist with strays.
In a short period of time Animal Control and the volunteers Michelle and Frank arrived almost simultaneously. The animal control officer didn’t have any luck catching the dog with a catch pole. Given Michelle and Frank’s rescue experience and capabilities, plus their live trap in Michelle’s truck to put to use, the officer determined he would follow up on other calls and leave the attempted capture of this dog to the two able volunteers.
Michelle and Frank are two of a group of volunteers who have become a group of”go to” volunteers when it comes to strays in the Chicago area. The volunteers come from all walks of life, but they share their devotion and commitment to taking action to assist when needed.
These efforts have resulted in Michelle having a live trap “at the ready”, which was clearly going to be needed with this stray dog.
The dog was able to be contained within the warehouse area fairly easily. Apparently she had been seen around there for a few days. This day she was wandering over to a side road where there were weeds on one side and a dirty stream or drainage ditch on the other.
Michelle and Frank set up the trap and tossed in hot dogs and dog food. Backing off from the area to watch, the dog poked her head in and was able to grab the food without the trap door being triggered. Time was passing, and Frank decided to go get some gas, and pick up some other high value food to see if that might lure her in further.
Frank returned with fried chicken and in short order it was placed in the trap. Again, backing away and watching with binoculars, Michelle and Frank waited and watched.
Finally, the dog went in far enough that the trap door shut!
They had her!
Whether Cassiedy was indeed dumped in the area where she was found is a mystery. If in fact she had been stolen, it could have been that her spay tatoo was finally noticed, or her health issues being triggered made her less desirable. However she got there, the RIGHT people were her “angels on Earth”.
Not knowing if the dog might get scared and potentially bite as they prepared to remove her from the crate, they took precautions to protect themselves.
Thankfully, Michelle had recently received (along with nine other individuals) a universal microchip scanner thanks to an area real estate agent who was active on one of the lost dog pages. The dog was scanned and a microchip was detected! Michelle’s work with a rescue organization helped to gain access to info she needed to follow up with the chip company’s call to the owner to let them know their dog was found and safe.
Fortunately, when Cassiedy went missing, SanDee had reported her as lost to the microchip company, at which time they asked her if she wanted to add any other contacts in case she might not be reached. She followed their lead and did so. Again, another great step which proved to be beneficial since she was away the day that the call was made about Cassiedy. In fact, she had already heard the exciting news from her in-laws after realizing that an 800 number call she had missed earlier was the chip company.
The in laws, added as contacts, had received a call from Michelle and she offered to drive the dog from Illinois the 15 miles to where they lived in Hammond, Indiana not far from Cassiedy’s home. It was dark by the time they arrived, and SanDee and family wouldn’t be home until Sunday from their trip.
SanDee’s inlaws welcome Cassiedy back to safety.
Michelle reflected to volunteers on a lost pet page:
“Never assume a dog was dumped because of where it’s found. Never assume the dog is close to home when it’s running down the street. And never give up looking for a lost dog. This girl was 15 miles from home. She’s from Indiana. Missing 3 weeks.”
The time would not come soon enough for SanDee and her family, including Chrissy who considers Cassiedy as her dog, were finally back home and reunited!
Throughout the three weeks, SanDee always felt that SOME DAY Cassiedy’s microchip would lead her back home. The importance of microchips was so firmly embraced by SanDee that when she her previous vet retired late last year and she had to go to a new one, she asked the vet to scan for her chip to be sure it was detected and it was!
This is a practice that SanDee recommends for all pets with microchips. “Every year when you take your pet in for vaccinations or check up, ask your vet to scan and be sure the chip can be detected.”
Cassiedy doing “high fives” back home with human sibling Chrissy.
As SanDee suspected would happen, Cassiedy’s check up revealed that she has ear infections in both ears and some sore spots on her paws. In addition, she has lost 10 pounds which we’re certain she will gain back by surely being spoiled rotten now that she’s safely home.
It hasn’t taken long for Cassiedy to settling in, finding her favorite spot on the couch once again!
Welcome home Cassiedy, and a huge thanks to quick thinking and acting volunteers who made it their business to help a stray who happily was reunite easily due to a registered microchip with updated contact info.
Story Take-Aways:
- Having your pet microchipped when they are being spayed/neutered is always a great time to do so! Once chipped, make sure it is registered with contact info, including several contacts just in case!
- When you visit your vet, ask them to scan for the chip to be sure it can still be detected. Sometimes they migrate as well!
- SanDee took action quickly and covered a wide area and kept updating posts. While those efforts didn’t play a role in her dog’s return, she took all the right measures she could.
- Cassiedy is a tricky pup who has been able to remove her own tags from her collar! For pups like this, collars with contact info embroidered into them is another option.
- This story is a perfect example of how vital volunteers who make it their business to help with strays can bring lost pets home. A shout out to the volunteers in this story and all the others who work tirelessly to reunite lost pets or bring animals in danger to safety.
- Consider getting involved yourself in some way. Check out our Unite2Reunite initiative as one way to get started.
and keep your contact info updated!
Even if your pet has gone missing and it’s been some time,
you might one day get that miracle call!
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Monday Microchip Miracles blog
click here to read other happy reunion tales!
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