A well-loved dog named Gary is home and recovering from a harrowing ordeal on Tuesday.
Gary was inside his owner Jill’s vehicle when it was stolen from the parking lot outside London Drugs in West Kelowna.
According to the Okanagan Humane Society (OHS), the vehicle was later recovered in a vineyard off Boucherie Road, but Gary was gone.
The discovery, or lack thereof, sparked “widespread concern and a determined search,” the local animal rescue charity explained in a social media post.
The OHS got involved after a member of the public spotted Gary running in the cold and contacted the non-profit.
Shannon Gallivan, a dedicated OHS volunteer, quickly jumped into action, got to the location where the dog was found and located him.
Gary was scared and disoriented, the OHS post noted, so Shannon stayed close by and ensured he was safe until Jill could arrive.
When she did, the dog recognized her voice immediately and ran straight into her arms.
Shannon called it “an emotional moment,” adding that “Gary was nervous, but the connection he and Jill share was undeniable.”
“Watching them reunite was truly special,” she added.
It wasn’t just Gary who had a scary and stressful day, as a grateful Jill was also finally able to exhale once her beloved pet was safely in her arms.
“The kindness of strangers and the power of community brought Gary home,” she explained. “I’m incredibly thankful to Shannon, the OHS and the citizen who reported Gary when they saw him.”
The OHS post concluded by saying this rescue highlights the strength of community, the importance of looking out for one another and the unbreakable bond between pets and their owners.
