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| Name: |
Kiara (Kiki)
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Age: |
Two years old
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| Gender: |
Female |
Breed: |
Black and Tan Coonhound mix |
| Home: |
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA |
On
July 15th of 2004 my father and I visited our local humane society, as
we often did. My father walked in front of me, as we looked through kennels
and visited with each dog. As we were walking, he said "UH OH!" and we
both laid our eyes on Kiara. He knew he was hooked and we were going to
be bringing home a sister for Simba and Nala.
At fifteen weeks old she had been found wandering the street the shelter was
located on. As others walked by, she would shy away and bark at them.
However, as soon as they were out of her sight she came right back up to
the kennel door wanting us to pet her. She wanted nothing to do with any
of the other people visiting the shelter that day. She chose us. And
that was it ... she came home with us that day.
She has learned so many commands, so quickly. Her first love was
retrieving the tennis ball and soon followed by catching the frisbee
right out of the air! Kiara, my mother, and I have spent many relaxing
afternoons on the beach, playing frisbee while others watched in
amazement. She quickly became one of the favorites of many in our
community. She's stolen the hearts of those around her. Since day one
Kiara has been very skittish with new things. With my encouragement, her
and I have tackled many obstacles together. She still is skittish around
new folks but has a very good reason for such.
On Monday, September 11th of 2006, our "perfect" little world had
collapsed. Kiara was spooked from our yard and took off. We spent five days
searching for her. We drove around, night and day, calling out her name.
We posted signs on every business and pole imaginable and made our own
poles to post in other areas. Everything in my life had come to a
complete halt and my heart was torn to shreds. I would wake up, from
whatever sleep I managed to get, thinking "Be strong ... we're going to
find her today!" And then after searching all day and coming in for the
night, I would break down in tears.
That Friday while my father and I were out searching we got a call from
a man about five minutes from our home. He had cornered Kiara in his yard
but because of her skittish nature he could not capture her. My brother,
whom Kiara doesn't know too well, went to search in his neighborhood
while my mother stayed home waiting for us to return. My brother spotted
Kiara and she would not allow him to get close. He chased her for two or
so miles trying to catch her. Around 5:00 PM my dad and I finally got
the message that she was in the neighborhood and searched until 2:30 AM
in that area. We spent most of the night posting signs, driving around
calling her name, walking thru the woods, stopping and asking people in
the neighborhood, with no luck whatsoever. We decided to call it a night
and went home trying to get a bit of sleep.
For some reason I slept so soundly that night, even though I was just as
exhausted as I was the previous nights. My father got up early that
morning and went searching in the same area on foot. He was calling out
her name and heard a bark. Not knowing if it was Kiara he followed the
dog's bark. He spotted the dog but it was not coming to him. As he
walked closer trying to figure out if it was her, he realized it was but
she was still not coming to him. He got up to her and noticed there was
a chain fence blocking her. He reached over, scooped her up and did not
put her down until he got in the truck. She was a bit torn up, but
overall in good health. The whole way home Kiara whined and kissed my
father.
When they arrived home my dad brought Kiara into my room, as I was still
sleeping, and awoke me from my nightmare. My little girl was home and my
heart was once again whole.
This Thanksgiving to say we are thankful is an understatement. The love,
care, and support we received from our community - online and offline -
is so incredibly overwhelming. Our little girl is home, our hearts are
complete, and she has brought even more joy into our lives. I believe we
are all very thankful, including our Kiara!
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