08/01/2021
After 3 weeks and 5 days of surviving in the world on her own, our 9lbs Chihuahua mix Chandi is finally safe at home with us. I was so worried that after few weeks in the wild she would not remember us, remember me. But as you can see in the video, she was so excited to be home!
Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone that has helped us through this ordeal. Lucky Dawg Animal rescue stepped up from the moment that they heard she is lost. The neighbors of greater Marchwood, you guys have been searching, looking and praying for her return. My family and friends tirelessly helping us flood Exton with flyers. This is how we got her back....
On Tuesday 7/27 5:30pm, exactly 3 weeks after she went missing, a woman that works in a corporate park nearby saw her that morning at 7:30am. She told us another worker saw her two days prior too, so she's been seen there twice at least. Lisa and I rushed out there, standing by the grass area where she was seen and strategizing where she may have went. Then in the very far distance in the 3 feet tall grass I saw a black animal moving between the grass. I slowly walked closer and saw two pointy ears, and I thought to myself "no way!". I got a little bit closer and I saw a patch of white that I know so well, I knew it right then and there that is Chandi! The small black body, pointy ears, and distinctive patch of white, that has to be my girl!! I burst into tears and mouthed to Lisa "that is her!!!" So I walked up to the grass quickly and quietly call "Chandi!" She heard me, but she ran, she ran into the woods and I couldn't see her anymore.
By that time more people joined us there. The group came up with a plan. We set out two bowls, one with water and one with bacon and dog food. We left the water/food by the tall grass as a feeding station and setup a trail camera. Everyone decided it is best to go home at this point and let the food/camera do its job and hope she will come back, since she's been seen there twice already. I decided to stay there with Cleo and wait for another hour, in case she comes back. But she did not.
The next day at noon, my hunch was confirmed, we caught her on camera. There is no mistake, that is our girl Chandi! Over the course of the next 5 days we refilled the food/water twice a day and check the camera for her schedule, while everyone waited patiently and anxiously.
After 5 days of feeding her and watching on the camera, we finally decided it was time to set the trap on Sunday (8/1) for her. we need to bring her home! We got out there to the parking lot to refresh the food and setup the trap at 5:30am (so we don't run into her). All three positioned their cars in different parts of the parking lot. Kathy and I drove together in one car, and Lisa in another, we positioned ourselves in a hotel parking lot, just on the other side of the tall grass area wooded area just in case. We waited from 5:30am - 11:15am but with rain on and off, we were so afraid that she wouldn't come out. She is terrified of rain but she should be very hungry, because we deliberately underfed her the day before.
At 11:15am we had to called it after a long stakeout but Kathy and I decided to stay, she has to come out sometime! We will wait till the storm drives us out. Then at 12:14pm we saw her!!! We finally saw Chandi casually walking in from the left side up to the feeding station. She walked around the trap and sniffed around the grass for an agonizing 20 minutes. She walked in front of the trap, behind the trap, stick her head a little into the trap, and even walked away from the trap two times outside of our view. At this point Kathy's and my hearts were pounding and we were so nervous. One of us got on the phone with our expert and the other looking at Chandi with the binocular, praying the whole time that she would just go into the trap and eat her food! Finally Chandi walked into the trap and started eating the food, but the trap door didn't come down! I was starting to panic, Kathy keep saying "the door didn't come down! The trap didn't trigger!" Then 5 seconds later I saw the trap door finally came down which startled Chandi and I knew it. She is finally captured!!!!
At this point it started to pour rain, N and Lisa came back to the parking lot and we walked up to Chandi. Chandi was scared and whimpering the whole time. N carried the whole trap to Kathy's car and we drove home with her. I comforted and talked to her the whole way home while Kathy drove. We set up the exercise pen in the garage, put the trap in there and freed Chandi into my arms. It is the most amazing feeling to finally have her home with us!
I can't tell you how grateful we are to our Lucky Dawg family! My dear neighbor and forever friend Kathy and her family have been supporting us every single day since Chandi's disappearance. I can't tell you how many countless hours Kathy and her family went out there to look for her. My loving extended family, neighbors, and moms club friends searching and posting hundreds of flyers. The out pouring of support and kind help with the greater Marchwood community has been so overwhelming. Thank you, thank you, thank you all! We are forever grateful to everyone!
