In a heartwarming tale of resilience and reunion, a 12-year-old Patterdale terrier named Rose has been discovered living wild in the woods near Crawley Down, a village in West Sussex, England, almost seven years after she initially went missing.
Rose, who was reported missing within 24 hours of being adopted in March 2017, was located by volunteers from Lost Dog Recovery UK South. A concerned citizen had alerted the group about a stray dog in the area, leading to the remarkable discovery.
According to CNN, Rose had become a familiar presence for locals who would often provide her with food. Determined to help, the volunteer team organized a stakeout of Rose’s usual feeding spots, employing hidden cameras to monitor her movements. Their efforts paid off when they successfully lured Rose into a metal cage using roast chicken topped with paté, allowing them to assess her health.
Upon discovering that Rose was microchipped, Lost Dog Recovery UK South diligently traced her previous owners, who had originally lived merely six miles from where Rose was found. The owners explained that they were no longer able to care for her and had relocated.
Currently undergoing rehabilitation, Rose is on the path to recovery before she can embark on a new chapter in a loving home. The volunteer team expressed their joy on social media, stating, “Although we will never know when exactly she came to settle in Crawley Down, what we do know is that she is finally SAFE, and now will not spend the rest of her senior years fending for herself in the cold and wet.” This heartening reunion showcases the power of dedication and community efforts in ensuring the well-being of our beloved four-legged friends.
