A Whitley Bay family has expressed gratitude to the neighborhood after people made a remarkable effort to find their lost dog.
The Straker family’s worst dread as a pet owner came true when Willow, a poodle-cross-aged one, vanished on Saturday. Owners Sarah and Paul Straker were away on vacation in Keswick with their three kids, Eva, 12, and twins Isla and Hanna, both 9.
While out on a stroll on Churchill Playing Fields in Monkseaton on Saturday, “lively and enthusiastic” Willow managed to escape her harness. Paul’s dad George was caring for Willow and their other dog Poppy while they were away. The dog is believed to have spent several hours running through neighboring housing estates until being seen that evening, much to the horror of her devoted owners, on the Metro line close to West Monkseaton station.
George started looking for Willow in the hopes of locating her because he didn’t want to worry the family while they were on vacation. But when Sarah and Paul saw a Facebook post with a picture of Willow on the Metro line, they were “gut-wrenched” to learn that their puppy was gone in the worst way conceivable.
The family’s vacation was cut short when they returned to Whitley Bay at 4 am to join the hunt for their small puppy following a “huge fear” and a restless night. Sarah and Paul were overwhelmed by the response to Willow’s abduction when they got home in the early hours of Sunday.
Early in the morning, a lot of people showed up at the West Monkseaton Metro station, some carrying dog biscuits and hot dogs and others carrying binoculars in search of Willow. From close family and friends to strangers, the assistance came in all shapes and sizes.
Numerous people went out looking for Willow in their neighborhood after Sarah’s Facebook post urging Whitley Bay residents to keep an eye out for the puppy was widely shared. More than a dozen individuals showed up to aid and support George, who is in his late 70s, in the search even before Sarah and Paul were able to return home.
A man named Mick was one of the extraordinary group of volunteers who offered to use a drone to find Willow; Sarah and Paul later stated that his assistance was “vital” in her rescue. Another volunteer conducted a thermal imaging camera search of the area in an effort to locate the puppy, and a professional dog rescuer was also present to provide guidance.
Employees from Nexus Tyne and Wear Metro also assisted in the rescue, with Metro drivers agreeing to keep a watch out for Willow while traveling through the region and other employees assisting Sarah and Paul with their dog’s track search. Many people who lived along the Metro line also contacted the family to provide them access to their backyards so they could look for Willow.
On Saturday night, a group of women stayed up late at West Monkseaton to keep an eye on Willow. They spoke to passing motorists and urged them to drive cautiously in case the dog darted into the road. Even people from further away came to help, with one Westerhope resident showing up with a special dog lead that he handed to the family to help them catch Willow.
Willow was eventually located on Sunday, tucked in a small opening between two fences, thanks to the amazing search efforts of the neighborhood. Sarah and Paul were helped by a group of people who put a lead on Willow’s head and lifted the puppy over the top of the fence.
Sarah compared the thrill of first holding her children to the emotional moment when they finally got their cherished dog back. Willow overreached, and when she was brought to her, she stated, “It was like being handed your child when you’ve just given birth.” “It was incredible — pure happiness tears.”
Willow is returned to her rightful place at home, and although exhausted from her journey and having a few minor scrapes, the dog is doing well thanks to her family’s generous additional cuddles. Paul remarked, “They say cats have nine lives; in this instance, I believe dogs do.”
The family expressed their gratitude for the love received from everyone in the community, from family and friends to complete strangers, and said they had been “completely overwhelmed” by it. They wish to thank everyone who assisted in getting their dog home, from the group of teens who showed up with bags of dog goodies to the woman who hurried to the store to buy a tin of hot dogs in an effort to entice Willow out.
Everyone contributed to making this happen; without everyone’s assistance, we couldn’t have succeeded, Sarah remarked. “I can’t express how grateful we are for it,”
Paul continued, “It truly renews your faith in what humans are capable of. “I was raised here, and I have a strong sense of pride for both the community and its residents. It’s a wonderful community of people who band together in difficult situations or anytime they notice another person in need.
The tale of Willow’s rescue is a convincing illustration of the strong sense of community that underpins Whitley Bay. It helps you appreciate how amazing your home and the community in which you live are, according to Sarah.
