Dear Editor:
The power and strength of our community was once again clearly evident and shining when our pup, Oakley, a one-year-old shy Bernedoodle, was lost on Mount Fromme for 14 days.
We are still speechless by the community support, as hundreds of people searched and/or helped spread the word to help find Oakley.
On July 28, Oakley was off leash on an outing with his dog walker near the Baden Powell Trail in the Braemar area, approximately five kilometres from his Upper Lynn home. Oakley has never bolted before, always bouncing happily while playing with his fur-friends, but on that morning something spooked him and he was gone.
Over the next 14 days, the community came together in unbelievable ways.
In addition to family, neighbours and friends, there were hundreds of people – hikers and mountain bikers – from the Cypress area to Deep Cove who were keeping an eye out, searching and spreading the word. Soon Oakley had a dedicated Facebook page, and community organizations like the North Shore Mountain Biking Association and all dog-walking companies, as well as local real estate agents Jenny Gill and Suzanne Callaghan, activated all their social media channels to help spread the word. Local dog training company K9 Leadership and friend/trainer from local organization Survival in Canada became our rocks, not only providing us with daily insight and support, but hitting the trails and backcountry with us. And there was also North Shore Rescue, which let all their members know to keep an eye out from above.
There were neighbours who baked cookies, and strangers who bought a wilderness camera on their own, and one very special person (now a friend) who was committed to being there for us and searching each day, even though she's facing serious health issues. There were indeed many new friendships formed along this journey.
There were the strangers who bushwhacked for hours and those who would message us saying which areas they’d completed searching, and even some saying they are getting in their cars and are on their way to a location as soon as there would be a sighting announced. Those who offered to bring us food and drinks when we overnighted in the car seven nights at various trailheads.
The incredible community support expanded as people from Vancouver, Richmond and Cloverdale came to the North Shore to help with the search. Hundreds of strangers reached out to us, offering their support and prayers, some as far as “6,000 miles away.”
To everyone’s surprise, shortly after 8 a.m. on Aug. 10 we had a fairy-tale ending. Oakley came bolting off the Baden Powell Trail near our home and sprinted into our backyard, excited and happy to be home at last. Other than losing 13 pounds, Oakley got a thumbs up on health from the vet, with not even a tick or cut.
We all believed and never gave up. And that’s exactly what Oakley did too.
To say it was community support that helped us get through this ordeal is an understatement. Words can’t express our appreciation to everyone! We are also thankful for the many new friendships we gained throughout Oakley’s two-week journey.
Kathy and Neil Taylor and family
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