The update we have all been waiting for! It’s a miracle… after 19 long days, Skunk has been found!
Western Cape, South Africa (05 July 2022) – A Cape Town family who have been desperately searching for their missing pup since the 16th of June just got the call they have been waiting for!
Skunk went missing from Overseers Cottage in Constantia Nek almost three weeks ago.
Skunk’s human parents – Rotma Shachar and her husband, Andrew Whitehouse – posted about the pup’s story everywhere.
“We were making our way down from Overseer Cottages (where we stayed for the night) to the parking lot in Constantia Nek. I had to go down with the van and the luggage. The rest of the 11 people from the group walked down along with Skunk and our other Bostie, Panda. At some point of the walk, around mid-way, Skunk was lagging behind. Very unusual because he is always up ahead, eager and full of beans.
Rotma explained that her husband tried to walk up to him and call. But Skunk, being partially deaf in one ear and easily disoriented, ran in the opposite direction.
“Away from Andrew, up instead of down. Andrew tried to keep up, but it was a steep part of the jeep track, and he couldn’t. Very soon, he lost sight of Skunk. Strangely few people saw him when asked. This was around 12:30. A warm public holiday with so many people walking on the mountain.
It didn’t take long to spread the word to anyone and everyone walking on those paths to be on the look out. But there was only one reported sighting, around 20 minutes after he disappeared. We searched those paths inside and out. Returned to the cottage and looked all around that area. Told the people who were staying at the cottage and asked them to let us know if he returned there.. nothing.”
The story quickly went viral, with South Africans volunteering to help. Day in and day out, rescue teams searched high and low for the pup. Heat drones were used in the area, sniffer dogs and even groups of Capetonians took on the search. A reward of R10,000 was also issued.
But it was 19 days with nothing. No news. No updates. No idea where Skunk could be.
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Until today! A miracle happened! Skunk has been found.
Angel Campey, an award-winning standup comedian and drivetime host on Smile 90.4FM, was walking her dog at the park this morning when she noticed a commotion. A group of kids called her over to help, apparently, there was a “very sad, lonely Boston terrier” trapped in the storm drain. She took to Twitter to tell the story.
“I go over to see a shivering little Pedigree Boston Terrier, with one distinct blue eye and one dark patch one,” Angel tweeted.
Another dog walker joins me and luckily she’s got her phone, so can take a photo and put it in the area WhatsApp group.
By then another couple with two massive bulldogs joined the rescue party.
We get a response that there’s a Missing poster out for this doggo. He’s been missing since June 16th, and went missing on table mountain!?”
The kind samaritans got the pup out of the drain, immediately phoned the owners, shared some photos and confirmed that it is, in fact, Skunk! They took him to the Vet to ensure he was okay after being on the streets for so long… and a family member is on the way to fetch him right now.
Somehow this little doggo who captured the hearts of South Africa survived, and his human parents will soon be reunited with their fur baby.
What a feel-good story. Something we could all use right now.
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