Chester Scruffy Garcia: A Special Life

Remember Chester?

 

Chester was one of the eight dogs pulled from the pound on January 31st. He was on the list of dogs that would to be euthanized to make space. We pulled him thirty minutes before he was set to die.

 

He appeared to have some medical issues, so his foster family took him to Smith Mountain Lake Animal Hospital (SMLAH) to have him tested and microchipped. Before administering his chip, however, SMLAH found that he was already microchipped.

 

Unfortunately, Chester's microchip information wasn't up to date, so we were unable to call his owner. That didn't stop his foster family. Determined to find out if this boy had a family looking for him, they did some true detective work and found a current address for the owner. We sent a letter giving the owner seven days to contact us, not truly expecting to get a response. His family called as soon as they received the letter.

 

Now we know that Chester's real name is Garcia. His dad saved him from being euthanized in 2006 after visiting the Roanoke Shelter as part of Police Academy training requirements. (Candidates are required to witness an animal being euthanized during their training.) Garcia was on the list to be euthanized and his dad asked that he be spared and adopted him a short time later. He was 8 years old at the time and had some medical problems even then. That did not deter his new dad from adopting him.

 

What happened: Garcia is an indoor dog, but does like to go outside and lay in the sun when its warm. It probably feels good on his aching bones. He had recently tried to wander away and his dad thought it best to tie him out. Sadly, about two months ago, he broke free. His dad contacted both Roanoke and Bedford shelters and described Garcia fully, but he wasn't at either shelter. After a month of missing Garcia, his dad thought he was gone for good. His friends said that Garcia probably went off to die, as dogs will sometimes do when they are old and sick. But his dad refused to believe it. He kept all of Garcia's stuff and refused to get rid of it. When he and his wife received our letter, they called us immediately.

 

What went wrong: Animal Control does scan for microchips when strays are picked up or brought into the pound. The problem is that not all scanners can read every microchip. Chips can also be missed, as not every vet implants in the same area of the body. Microchipping your pets is a great way to help them find their way back home when they get lost, but it is not a guarantee.

 

What we learned: If your pet goes missing, VISIT your local pounds regularly. Don't rely on a phone call or a microchip to get your baby back home. BE PERSISTENT, as sometimes concerned citizens may hold an animal for a period of time hoping they can find the owner themselves before finally taking them to the pound or the animal wandering off again. It may take time for your baby to end up at the pound. In this case, it took 2 months. File a LOST AND FOUND report via our website and MONITOR our Lost and Found Facebook page at facebook.com/bhsvalostandfound. Post FLYERS in the area where your baby went missing.

 

In the end, Garcia made it back to the family that loves him thanks to the practices of Smith Mountain Lake Animal Hospital and the detective work of Paul and Pat Greier. This sweet boy has been saved from death at least twice now. He is truly a special life and we are so happy we could be part of his story this time.

 

This is why we do what we do.

 

Happy Forever After, Garcia!