By Ethan Shorey
CUMBERLAND – A local family and their many helpful friends and family can finally take a breath and get back to their summer after their tiny friend returned home Thursday afternoon.
“Charlie is home and happy! Thank you!” Katherine Williams told The Local Insider.
Her husband, James, said that after many spottings of their Dachshund over eight days on the run, Charlie peeked around their neighbor’s pool (this writer is that neighbor). He said he didn’t want to call out to Charlie and scare him away again, and after a bit longer and a quick trip further, Charlie came home on his own. There was then a long and emotional reunion as the family and their friends celebrated his return home.
The family, with help from Missing Dogs Massachusetts, had spent the entire past week searching for the dog and fielding calls about his potential whereabouts. They said they’ll be keeping a closer eye on him, but are just happy to have him home.
“Patience, a plan, and letting a dog settle can make all the difference,” said representatives from Missing Dogs Massachusetts.
Dawn McPhilips, volunteer dog tracker with Missing Dogs Massachusetts, said that Charlie covered more than six miles.
“The family never gave up hope and followed our advice about the importance of not chasing a lost dog, posting on social media and hanging flyers in a two-mile radius,” she said.
She said they used liquid smoke and a delicious rotisserie chicken meal to entice him back to the yard. With the help of resident dog Ringo, she said, Charlie quickly made his way back to the house to his overjoyed family.
“Special thanks to the community members who allowed us to set traps and cameras and to all those who called in sightings and to Charlie’s extended family who never never gave up,” she said.
Original story:
CUMBERLAND – An Alaska Street family in the Monastery Heights neighborhood of town has been searching for their dachshund Charlie for nearly a week, and they say sightings show he might be getting closer to home.
Kathy Williams is asking anyone who sees Charlie, age 8 and weighing in at 25 pounds, not to try to capture, chase, or call out to the dog, but to call the family at 401-365-3921.
Charlie got spooked and took off running through the back yard, and is still believed to be very skittish.
There were at least two reports on Tuesday of Charlie in the area of Hines Road, meaning he could be working his way back home, said the family. Charlie is wearing a blue checked collar.
Missing Dogs Massachusetts and many Cumberland residents are helping with the search.
