SUMMIT COUNTY, CO – On July 2, 2016, only one day after “Robin”, an Australian Shepherd/Shar Pei mix, was adopted from the Summit County Animal Control and Shelter, she went missing. Robin was out on a walk with her new family when she managed to escape. Over the next three months, she was seen roaming Summit County from Airport Road, Tiger Run RV Park, and finally to the woods behind Snow Caps Sled Dogs. Every available Animal Control resource was utilized in attempting to capture her. The various animal capture methods used included trying to coax her closer to be near her dog sibling, live trapping and the net gun.

Robin never showed interest in getting closer to either her sister or the shelter tech who was her primary caretaker for the 18 days she had originally stayed at the Animal Shelter. Clearly very trap wise, Robin was surprisingly able to steal the bait without getting caught in the traps set. When Animal Control Officers had her in sight, she always managed to stay just out of the effective range of the net gun. After spending time hanging around Pamela Evans’ residence at Tiger Run RV Park who consistently tried to gain her trust by feeding her, Robin decided to move up the valley to the dog yard of Snow Caps Sled Dogs which she found as a more suitable hang out location. For six long weeks, the good people at Snow Caps tried to trap and apprehend her, but to no avail.

Sightings of the elusive Robin became less and less frequent. Animal Control’s concern for the dog grew with winter just around the corner and her chances of survival appearing to be getting worse. When the first snowfall of the season arrived, Robin once again showed up at Snow Caps. It was on a Saturday, which is the day Snow Caps allows the older dogs to patrol the yard. Robin came down to greet the dogs, and one of the staff members was amazingly able to corral her into a pen. Animal Control transported Robin back to the shelter and weighed her with the expectation that she would have lost weight during her 3 month adventure. To everyone’s great surprise, she turned out to be a very forest savvy dog as she had actually gained five pounds! Her owner, Julianne O’Neill, was contacted and a very happy reunion followed. Robin is now safe and sound with her new family.

Snow Caps Sled Dogs is no stranger to assisting the Summit County Animal Control and Shelter. The owner, Orion Paiement, is an active volunteer for the Summit County Animal Response Team (SCART) that is responsible for evacuating pets during a disaster. Paiement offers his animal handling skills and sled dog trailers during the annual emergency training exercise. The entire Snow Caps Sled Dogs staff is prepared to assist in the event that a real evacuation is necessary. Animal Control thanks everyone involved in the search, especially Pamela Evans at Tiger Run RV Park, and to the wonderful people at Snow Caps Sled Dogs. This reunion could not have been made possible without you.