I would like to share our family's sad-great-news-story here. Franky has been protecting my folks house in town (Uitenhage) for the last few years. This dog has got loads of personality and just loves all of us without a doubt BUT his worst fear is thunder! He has broken through a closed door (those top and bottom half ones) because of this. He is very well behaved though, like could leave the front gates to the street open and he will not leave, or if he does it will be like 2m out and he will return without having to call him. So on Sunday the 30th August my parents moved him to the beach house (Bushmans) because they sold the house in town (retirement). He has never been to the beach house. He doesnt know the town. Monday (31st Aug) the thunder was going crazy so my mom let him and the 2 other little dogs into the house. She quickly went out to go move the car from outside the yard to inside and at that moment when the gate was still open Franky got out the house and spooked by thunder and ran out. My mom said she tried to follow him, but he was no where to find. The next day I started phoning and posting things on fb on pages in that area and so people started phoning to see where they have spotted him, but everytime she gets there he isnt around. (Bushmans is super small and kinda blocked in with the beach, river, swamp and a main road between PE and EL.) Our worst fears were that he would get onto the main road and be killed. Bust most of the spottings were towards the beach. I flew down on the Friday (4 days missing already) to go help the search. Walked miles and miles on the beach and in bushes. Put food down, took the little dogs to go help maybe they would pick up a sent. Multiple locals in Busmans and Kanton-on-Sea made lots of effort to also help the search. Nothing. My last search was that Sunday evening 10pm and as a family we decided to basically 'put it to rest'. Well my mom never did. My dad hoped that he would become a great hunter and some how get hold of some of those small deers around. Everyday I would think if he maybe got caught in bushes and couldnt get loose again or how he is dying of hunder maybe somewhere. Yesterday morning my mom phoned me and with teary voice said "an old lady from the street close the beach has spotted him, I went down thinking it is another false call but HE IS HOME. Franky is home" 2.5 weeks later Somehow he survived. He is extreamly thin, but not much harm (like cuts or or) elsewhere. Mom took him to the vet and said they are amazed and happy. The 2 little dogs have not left his side my mom said and well I still have to pinch myself to believe it is true. Now to get him healty again and then to take him for many walks around so he can get use to his new home. Amazing hey!
