Have You Seen Mickey the Min Pin?

Mickey is missing. Mickey was last seen in Overland, MO on Ashby Road. He’s hard of hearing, 15 years old, and weighs around 15lbs. He’s been missing since Saturday the 13th, 2019. If you have seen, please leave a comment or use the contact form so we can reunite him with his humans.

Have you seen this handsome fellow?

What to Do if Your Dog is Lost?

Try as we might, no dog owner can be sure that their yard is 100% escape-proof, especially with Min Pins. Between their intelligence and adventurous spirit, Min Pins are sure to test their boundaries.

Help reunite Mickey with his owners. He was last seen in Overland, MO.

Why do Dogs Escape?

New Surroundings.  When we brought our Chi Pin, Nano, home from the shelter, we assumed that our backyard fence was secure. After all, our other dog, Athena, had never escaped. However, being new to the household, Nano had a quest for exploration. I was keeping a close watch, but he continually escaped. We secured the fence in the place of his egress each time, but he was resourceful.

I finally realized that he wanted to check out the pasture behind our house. So, while keeping a close eye on him, I let him explore it. After a few minutes, he came back to me, and the piece of cheese I was holding, and has not shown interest in the pasture since. I guess he decided that our house, with its comfy couch and blankets, laps to sit on, and regular meals—a new concept to him—was preferable to anything the pasture had to offer. Our house became his new home, but only after he decided it was.

You Left the Gate Open  If this is the case, the first thing to do is forgive yourself. It happens to the best of us. We love our dogs and are careful to keep them safe, but none of us are perfect.

Sex  Your unspayed female is in heat and looking for a male, or your intact male senses a female in heat. Sex is a strong driving force for animals—it ensures the survival of the species—and most fences can’t corral that urge.

Your Dog is Missing. Now What?

You realize that you haven’t been requested for nap-, play-, and snuggle time lately. Where is my dog? You call his name frantically, but get no response. You go into the yard and call his name. No dog there, either. What do you do next?

Breathe.  First, take a deep breath and don’t panic. This is easier said than done.

Check places where you take your dog frequently.  Do you walk your dog regularly? Trace that route. Dogs are creatures of habit and often go to places that are familiar to them.

What might have attracted your dog’s attention?  One of my dogs, Zeus, thought motorcycles were the embodiment of evil. We found him near a major street that was close to our home. We think that was the route a motorcycle took, and he chased it.

Enlist the help of others.  While looking for your dog, did you see other people walking in your neighborhood, or even better, walking their dog? Explain that you have lost your dog and give them your phone number. People, especially other dog owners, are typically quite sympathetic and helpful when someone has lost their dog.

Hi Tech Solutions

GPS Tracking. Of course, we all know that dogs are naturally curious. Personally, I don’t blame them. I, too, like to explore my world rather than simply look from a window. If your dog tends to take matters into his own paws, you might consider getting a GPS tracking device for your dog. If your dog escapes, cell signal from the tracking device can alert you to his location in real time. Most GPS trackers attach or are integrated into the dog’s caller. One disadvantage of GPS trackers that use cell signal is that they require a subscription fee, in addition to the cost of the device.

Other Locator Devices. Trackers that use radio frequency or bluetooth technology may be more practical for use in an area with poor cellular reception. For more information, check out this page:
The Best Pet GPS Trackers at Reviews.com.

Microchipping. Although they cannot track your dog, microchips can also help you reunite with your pet. When a dog is found, most animal shelters scan for a chip, and if one is present, they can ultimately contact the owner. Often, microchips initially contain your vet’s contact information. It is important to register the chip to expedite a happy reunion with your pet. Questions about microchipping? Ask your vet or read these Microchipping FAQ’s from the American Veterinary Medical Association. To read more about registration, visit the Animal Humane Society’s page: Registering your pet’s microchip