April 23 is National Lost Dog Awareness Day, and I want to share a story that still lives in my heart every single day.

Her name was Sophie.

In 2017, I fostered Sophie for a local rescue. She was one of the sweetest, most affectionate dogs I had ever met. The truth is… she loved me more than I loved her at first. She looked at me like I hung the moon, and I carried a little guilt about that.

Sophie lived with me for about six months. She was incredibly fearful of people and the world around her, but there wasn’t a mean bone in her body. She was just scared. Together we worked through so much. I taught her a rocket recall. We practiced meeting new people. Slowly, she began learning that the world could feel safe.

When Sophie was frightened, she would climb right on top of my resident dog Sunshine. Sunny would sit there patiently, never arguing, letting Sophie borrow her bravery until she felt okay again.

Sophie had anxiety, and her instinct was always to flee rather than fight. Because of that, I worried about her future home. But part of rescue is trusting the process… and praying. Eventually, we found what looked like the perfect family. Their home was only about 15–20 minutes from mine. I met with them, talked through Sophie’s fears, and stressed how important it was that she feel safe while learning to trust them. They seemed kind and committed.

So Sophie went into a pre-adoption trial with them. For the first three days, we required nightly updates. They sent pictures. They asked thoughtful questions. They told us how much they already loved her. About a week and a half later, they were ready to finalize her adoption.

Then my phone rang. It was Sunday morning around 9 a.m. Sophie had gotten out the night before… and they couldn’t find her. My heart dropped. I immediately called the rescue, jumped in my car, and drove straight to their house. We started searching right away.

If you’ve ever lost a dog, you know there are critical steps in the first 24 hours that greatly increase the chance of bringing them home. Lost dogs are terrified. They are in survival mode. You do not chase them. You do not send groups out yelling their name.

Instead, you create safety and familiarity. You place items with their scent and your scent outside — their bed, your clothing, high-value food — so if they are nearby, they feel safe returning.

Unfortunately, none of those steps had been followed during the first 24 hours. We knew we had to act quickly before we lost Sophie for good. A local lost dog search group stepped in to help us. They were incredible. They showed us how to set things up so Sophie could find her way home. We set humane traps, placed cameras, and hung signs everywhere asking people to call if they saw her. The calls started coming in. Every sighting meant we jumped in our cars and raced to the location, hoping it was really her. Sometimes it was another dog that just looked like Sophie. But we followed every lead. Three days passed. From sunrise until dark, I was out driving, searching, hoping.

Then it happened. As I was about to turn my car and head another direction, I saw her. Sophie popped her head out from behind a building at a used car lot along a very busy road… and looked right at me. I have never turned my car around so fast in my life. I pulled up onto the curb to block the road so she wouldn’t run into traffic. I got out, heart pounding. She ducked behind the building but peeked around the corner.

I got down low and made the special sound I had trained her to come to — the one that used to bring her flying to me faster than her legs could carry her. But this time… things were different. She had been alone for three days. She was scared, hungry, dirty, and exhausted. Someone honked a horn nearby and she panicked. She ran behind the building, down a hill, into a large field and wooded area nearby.

There was a McDonald’s close by. I ran in, grabbed food, and drove to the edge of the field. I walked out to the middle, laid flat on my stomach in the grass, opened the bag of food, and waited. Then I spoke softly so she could hear my voice. After a while… she appeared. Two hundred yards away. Then 150 yards. Then 100. I could see her slowly relaxing as she got closer. She was starting to recognize me. I avoided eye contact and kept my voice calm. Ten yards away. My heart was pounding, but I stayed still.

And then I made the mistake that still haunts me.

While I was getting the burger, I called the family to tell them I had found her and was trying to get her to come to me. Moments later, they came running over the hill — shouting, calling her name, rushing toward us. Sophie turned… and ran. My heart shattered.

Winter came. Christmas passed. Dangerous cold weather settled in. Occasionally someone would report seeing her. Every time, I went out looking. Every single day. I owned my own business at the time. I paid people to run it so I could search. Two dear friends, Tracey and Michele, came out with me almost daily.

Two months passed. No sign of Sophie. I prayed constantly. Standing in cold farm fields, bowing my head, begging for her safety. In late February we finally received a call. A homeowner had found her lying under their bushes. She had already passed away. She was only about half a mile from the used car lot where I almost had her that day. My friend Tracey met me there.

I had promised Sophie every day that I would bring her home… and that she would never have to leave again. So I kept my promise. I brought her to the veterinarian, had her cremated, and brought her home. Sophie still lives with me to this day.

Some people in my life didn’t understand why I spent months searching. They believed I should have moved on. But when I make a promise to a rescue dog… I mean it. Those three months searching for Sophie changed me forever.

I learned how lost dogs behave. I learned what helps and what hurts in the search for them. Now I share what I learned whenever I can, because I never want another person — or another dog — to go through what Sophie did.

Sophie’s story also changed my life in ways I never expected. It was the beginning of the end of my almost 30-year marriage. It was also the beginning of the end of my time fostering dogs. My heart simply couldn’t take it anymore.

But in Sophie’s memory, I can still help others. So if you are reading this today, please remember: A dog must be safe ALL of the time — not just some of the time. And newly adopted or rescue dogs are at the highest risk of going missing during their first few months in a new home. Their world has changed. They don’t yet know you are their safe place. One open door… One loose leash… One moment of panic… That is all it takes.

Sophie deserved to come home. And in her memory, I will spend the rest of my life helping other dogs do exactly that.

If you have a fearful or newly adopted dog:

 

• • Always use secure leashes, collars, and/or harnesses

• • Consider double-leashing in the early months-place one leash on the collar and one leash on the harness

• • Be mindful of doors, gates, and escape routes. always make sure you have a leash on before opening a door. Always make sure the door is shut before taking the leash off.

• • Give them time to build trust and attachment before giving too much freedom

• • Teach them a reliable recall with a signature sound that always has a positive association. Click the link to access my step by step guide how to teach a rocket recall. https://canva.link/sxdti8izbohu628

Because losing them only takes a second. Bringing them home can take forever

Click here for A simple guide to preventing escapes + what to do if your dog gets loose: https://canva.link/lostdogguide

Preventing a lost dog isn’t about luck-it’s about understanding behavior, building reliable skills, and putting the right systems in place. If you’re ready to take a proactive approach to your dog’s safety, book a FREE Discovery call with me. I’ll help you identify the gaps and guide you toward a clear, customized plan.

Book your Discovery Call today!

Warmly,

Sharon Mathers

Bark Side Manners