This is the story of a big black dog and her 5 month journey. There are multiple messages that one can glean from this story and we leave the reader to pick the message(s) most meaningful to them. For those of us who work with domestic animals every day, we are once again reminded that animals can’t speak and they need us humans to help them. The humans working at three organizations all played a role in this story and we are grateful to them: PetAgree Boarding and Grooming in Danville, Hendricks County Humane Society, and Indy Lost Pet Alert.

The big black dog was first seen on a hot Saturday afternoon in early June wandering along old US 36 in Danville across from Hendricks Regional Hospital. Her staggering gait and the confused, exhausted look on her face, told Corey, a passerby, that this dog needed help. Not one to turn away an animal in distress, Corey offered this big black dog a ride in his car; an offer the big black dog could not refuse. Corey’s Saturday afternoon plans were now under revision! Where he was headed that afternoon did not allow dogs so he had to drop the dog off somewhere while the search for her owner took place. But where? The Hendricks County Animal Shelter and the Hendricks County Humane Society were both closed for the day. The Sheriff’s Department suggested that Corey hold onto the dog until Monday and Animal Control would gladly pick her up.​

Corey could not keep the dog until Monday. He was struggling to come up with a solution for this big black dog, who was by now sitting comfortably across his entire back seat, when his eyes fell upon a roadside sign, PetAgree Boarding and Grooming, and it was open! Corey and the big black dog walked into the building and Corey explained that the dog seemed to be lost. The PetAgree employee nodded her head in understanding. It was noted that this big black dog had a cute pink collar, but no tags and no microchip!

Now another problem—where was PetAgree to put the dog? The kennel was filled with boarding dogs, so there was no place to put her that she wouldn’t be in close proximity to their boarders. Not knowing her health/vaccination history, the staff could not expose their clients’ dogs to her. It was decided that the big black dog could go into the outdoor single kennel which was a large shaded play area stocked with water, food, a bed, and some treats.

PetAgree employees willingly took on the problem of the big black dog, thanking Corey for his concern and for taking action to help this lost dog. They assured him that they would find her home or place her in a good home. The dog’s picture was taken and blasted on social media as well as posted to Indy Lost Pet Alert, Hendricks County Animal Shelter, and Hendricks County Humane Society. Signs were posted locally along with a 24 hour phone number, thanks to Cameron, a PetAgree employee and Humane Society volunteer.

When PetAgree closed for the day, not wanting the big black dog to spend the night outside, Cameron brought her to the Humane Society and provided her with a large air conditioned room, a bed, food, and water. The big black dog fell right to sleep, feeling safe and loved. She joined in Sunday activities at the Humane Society that included lots of people loving on her and providing for her needs. Monday finally arrived and the Humane Society was sure that her owner had called Animal Control to report her missing. With much anticipation of a happy reunion, Animal Control was called but “no” there were no reports of anyone looking for a big black dog.

What to do next for the big black dog? She would be placed in a foster home while the search for her owner continued. A foster home was found, but just before the foster mom arrived at the Humane Society, it happened: THE PHONE CALL from a crying lady asking about her dog. Cameron was skeptical. Was it someone trying to get a fantastic dog for nothing? Was it a puppy mill operator? Was it some sort of dog selling scam? All these things went through her mind. Fact checking was done, authorities were contacted, and proof of ownership was requested. The phone call to Cameron came because of an observant volunteer at Indy Lost Pet Alert who matched the picture of the “found” big black dog with the picture of the “lost” big black dog posted back in January. When the lady walked into the Hendricks County Humane Society, all skepticism was washed away by tears of joy because the big black dog was ecstatic! She clearly recognized this lady and she was jumping and twirling with happiness. No doubt about it, this lady was her “mom,” whom we soon learned, she had not seen in over 5 months.
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At last, the big black dog has a name, Blossom Girl, and her story unfolds: She lived with her family in a little community near Cloverdale, Indiana. Blossom was a gift from the husband to his wife, intended to bring his wife courage and inspiration as she dealt with a health problem. Blossom was stolen out of her yard when she was just 9 months old. The thief left her collar on the driveway, a collar that included her name and phone number. Her family was very sad and did everything possible to find her, including posting her picture and information on the Indy Lost Pet Alert website.
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It was the folks at Indy Lost Pet Alert who made the connection from the “lost” posting back in January to the “found” posting in June. Blossom’s owner received an email from Indy Lost Pet Alert that her dog might have just been posted under “found” dogs and they gave her Cam’s phone number. And now we know the rest of the story. Blossom and her owner were reunited and each of them gleaned something from this reunion. The dog is happy to be back with her family and the owner has renewed interest in taking care of herself so she can be there for her dog.

What did this dog go through in the 5 months she was gone? Was she stolen to be sold so the thief could get money? Was she stolen to be bred? How did she get loose from whoever had her? Was she wandering down the road hoping to get back home to her real family? We can only wonder what the answers to these questions might be.

We relate Blossom’s saga and give credit to the three organizations who worked together to get her back home: PetAgree in Danville; Indy Lost Pet Alert, and Hendricks County Humane Society. In addition, it is wonderful to know that there are good people like Corey (the real hero!) and Cameron who are willing to be good Samaritans on behalf of the animals. Ah, if only animals could talk!

Finally, a plea from Cameron, “I BEG YOU ALL to get your pets microchipped! If your pet does get stolen, it will be harder to sell. If your dog gets lost, the Animal Shelter, the Humane Society, most veterinarians, and most pet stores have scanners to read the chip. Our pets can’t talk so they depend on us to do the right thing to help them.”

Merrily Nilles, HCHS Volunteer
July 10, 2017