To the editor;
Meet “Little Fort”.
Over the past two months, this shepherd was running as a stray in the North Thompson around the Little Fort area. So many tried to help with sightings and trying to lure and catch him. He was afraid of the human voice and would bolt if you spoke. He travelled through the mountains along highways and logging roads. We estimate on the low side that he was traveling in a 30 km radius. He had highway trucks and cars stopping to try to catch him as well as residents in the area. Pommy Country along with other rescue individuals spent numerous hours trying to help. He could not be caught.
A few weeks back his sightings were less, and word was he had injured his back left leg. He was now doing the travel with just three legs.
Pommy Country finally got their hands on a live trap that was placed where his last sightings was at the six kilometre mark on Highway 24 outside of Little Fort. Nothing for days.
We had the Anderson’s checking the trap along with Pommy volunteers. A couple of the Pommy volunteers headed out Easter Monday to check on the trap and restock fresh food/bait. We pulled onto Highway 24 off Highway 5 and there he was, crossing the street in front of us. We stopped and attempted to bait him with salmon. He was definitely loving the salmon but would not come close.
At this time we met Chris Jim who had a bowl of dog food in hand. The shepherd had gained some trust for Chris and was returning to their property regularly to get food from Chris. Although he would not get close to Chris you could see the trust that was forming. He watched Chris and knew Chris’ truck.
We believe he didn’t run away because he had this trust in Chris and knew Chris had food for him. Chris placed the bowl a ways away and watched him from afar while he ate. While he was eating we ran and grabbed the trap to move it to the Jim’s property.
With salmon placed inside the trap, we left to allow it to do its work and Chris would watch it. Within two hours the dog was safe in the trap.
That call from Chris to let us know we had the dog will be something I’ll never forget.
Driving up and seeing Chris kneeling down petting him through the trap will never be forgotten. This boy was scared and he knew he was safe.
Pommy Country has handed him over to the SPCA for further investigation. He is currently at the their vet office being treated and getting x-rays to confirm what injury is on his leg.
Thank you to the ladies at the Kamloops BC SPCA for taking him in last night. He is safe and will be available at the Kamloops BC SPCA soon.
What we can tell you about this boy since being caught is he is gentle and sweet. He talks quietly to you when you talk to him and he is a love. He will be further assessed by the BC SPCA and further updates will be provided by them.
Whoever adopts this boy from the Kamloops BC SPCA in the end will be so lucky. He is truly the sweetest.
Thank you to the many people that tried to help over the past two months. The Anderson’s and the Jim’s for their huge role in catching him and allowing us to place the trap on their properties. Thank you to Chris Jim for gaining this boys trust slowly so he wouldn’t run, and thank you to the Pommy volunteers for the time you spent heading out there; Arlene, Kathy, Jaime and myself. Also thank you to Jan L. and Janie Unruh.
Hopefully I am not missing anyone in my thank you’s.
Dori McRae, President/Founder
Pommy Country Rescue
