Ontario dog who ran off on Boxing Day returns home
An eastern Ontario man is overjoyed his beloved dog, Snickers, is safe and sound after being missing for three weeks, battling the elements, predators, and even illness.
The 8-year-old Shih Tzu is a friendly staple of his owner’s flower shop in downtown Picton, Ont. called Flowers by Marvin, spending his days with his owner Marvin Chapman.
Chapman left on vacation on Boxing Day, and had Snickers staying at a dog sitter’s, when he got the call that his dog had run off.
Chapman said he was devastated.
“I was completely helpless. I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t go look. I was just stuck. It was horrible,” he said over video chat in an interview with CTV News Ottawa from overseas.
Posters went up, friends and strangers searched; there was no sign of Snickers.
Michelle Lott, the flower shop’s store manager, said she helped coordinate the efforts.
“So many people were out searching for him,” she said.
But Lott said that wasn’t all. Snickers had health issues and wasn’t getting his medicine.
“He actually has kidney disease and Lyme disease so we were really worried by that point because he hadn’t had his medication since Boxing Day,” she said.
As days and nights dragged on, and extreme cold warnings were issued, Lott said they were giving up hope.
“A week ago Monday, it was minus 23 and it was looking pretty grim,” she said. “(I) called his veterinarian and he said the only thing at that point that would bring him back was a miracle. So we called off the active search at that point.”
Then, on Saturday, that miracle came true.
Lott received a call from a young couple, saying that Snickers had been found running along a road more than five kilometres away from where he took off.
“Just the fact that he didn’t get hit by a car is miraculous as well,” said Lott. “The area that he was found, there is a sand pit that is full of coyotes at night. So he had a lot of obstacles that he’s overcome.”
Lott believes the dog was outside the whole time.
Snickers was unharmed and has recovered from his ordeal. Chapman said when he heard the news, he couldn’t believe it.
“Michelle sent me the picture and I said, ‘you’re kidding me’, and then I was just completely emotional. That’s my kid. He is my world.”
Snickers will be reunited with Chapman on Monday when he returns from vacation.
“I can’t wait,” said Chapman.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.