On a recent trip to the Salt Lake area for the long Thanksgiving weekend, I left my dog at a friend's home in a dog run with a 6-foot high fence. Shortly after I left to fish on the Provo River with friends, Rydo climbed on the roof of the doghouse and over the fence he went.
I returned from fishing at 5 p.m., and my dog was long gone. He had two tags on his collar, one with his name and a Washington state phone number and the other his rabies tag. My friends and I looked for him until midnight and then again Saturday morning. I was certain I would probably not see him again.
We made calls to all the surrounding animal control agencies and trips to the Salt Lake County Animal Shelter and the Humane Society, and we still couldn't find my dog. Phone calls were started to surrounding animal clinics/hospitals. A dog fitting the description of Rydo had been brought in to the Alta Veterinary Friday by John Yamagata, who had the presence of mind to see that Rydo had a safe, warm place for the holiday weekend. John paid the boarding fee for 48 hours.
I am most grateful to John, along with family and friends, for his kindness to the much-loved, handsome, large mutt that he rescued. Now we are on our way back to Washington state with a happy ending to this story. Thank you, John!
Matt G. Stringfellow
Olympia, Wash.