The Capture Story

Thanks to Luisa for sharing the story --

After 8 days of ticks and tears, here is the Kia capture story:

I was at the most recent sighting and a couple (nicest couple ever) pulled up to me and asked me if I was looking for a dog. I said yes and they said "we saw her down here…hop in!"

We pulled up to a water plant and it was actually next to where we were planning on moving our trap to today. They said she was somewhere around that area.

Another car pulled over right then and said he saw a dog go in the fence there. There was a small gap where the 2 gates met, so I squeezed myself through there. I saw Kia in the back. I asked the couple to block the gate opening and I walked the perimeter to make sure there wasn't another area she could escape from- there wasn't.

So then I did all of the things you are supposed to do… went down in a submissive position, threw food next to me (when you are looking for a dog, you always have food on you!), whimpered like a puppy. At one point my whimpers turned into real crying… all of the stress and worry bubbling over. 

But nothing was working so I decided to do what you never do…CHASE her. I knew she couldn't get out so I decided I would just wear her little but out. I think I ran around that building 25 times and we were both gasping for breath at the end! She finally just stopped running and sat near the gate, barking, like "get out of my way!" 

I had put out an SOS for help, but in the meantime a woman pulled up… she didn't know we were trying to catch a dog. She just wanted to make sure we were ok. I said, "quick… you are tiny enough to fit through this gap… get in here with me!" That poor girl. LOL! But she squeezed in and sat on one side of Kia and me on the other (she wouldn't let us get close enough to touch, but we sort of had her surrounded).

Also click here to see Kia in motion

Katie arrived soon after and gave me her catch pole and I was able to catch her with that. The girl put the sliplead on her and then we put the crate flat against the opening of the fence and got her in. 

Happy ending!!! 

-Luisa

Here's the update you have been waiting for . . . !

Kia is safe! The detailed story will have to wait, but I got a quick synopsis from Katie.

There have been some sightings coming in over the last several days -- time to post updates slips away so quickly -- thanks mostly to flyering efforts of fantastic volunteers!

So based on sightings, Luisa knew where to go to try generating a sighting of her own (which by the way, she did a week ago too -- she was just yards away and Kia was almost ready to come to her, but at the last second, she bolted). She was there, wherever that was (!?!) when a woman came walking along and said "Are you looking for a dog?"

Of course Luisa said Yes, and the woman told her she'd just seen her moments earlier. She took her to the location .  .  .  that's when I got so excited hearing the story from Katie that I couldn't concentrate! Something about a fenced area, and Kia getting in there and then Luisa crawling into the fenced area too.

Initially Luisa tried to catch up with her, knowing that since the area was fenced, she couldn't get out -- she could just get tired. And she did, but it was actually Katie's catch pole that enabled Luisa to contain her, in the end.

I'm still waiting on a photo from Katie, and I'll post it as soon as it comes through. But Kia is, right now, safe with Katie and Luisa!

Nancy

PS  Check the Finding Kia Search Team Facebook page for photos and the story!

https://www.facebook.com/FindingKiaSearchTeam

Possible Sighting

Thanks to Lost & Found Dogs VA (on Facebook) for sharing this Craigslist ad:

Posted on Craigslist this morning

Telegraph Road and the Fairfax County Parkway do intersect not far from where Kia went missing.

However, there is also a street called "The Parkway" that is off of Telegraph Road, northeast of Telegraph & Van Dorn.

Depending on which "Parkway" the Craigslist poster is referring to, this could be Kia.

Kia Thanks You for Helping . . .

. . . Even if she doesn't know it yet!

Thank you to everyone who has been helping, praying, and sharing the information about Kia and her plight

We think Kia is feeling a little spooked right now, and we want to minimize the activity level, and give her a chance to relax. We are afraid she will move to a different location if we don't.

So we are asking that unless you have already signed up to check the traps, please help by posting and emailing the electronic flyer, and spreading the word in any way you can think to do it! That would be much appreciated! 

We will keep you updated and will more than likely need additional help on Friday and over the weekend, so please keep checking back! And please continue to pray for Kia!

Trap #2 in place... need help checking

Trap #2 went up last night, and there was activity! In fact, all of the chicken around the traps was eaten AND the trap was tripped sometime Wednesday morning! But (sigh) but not by Kia  . . .  yet!!

Thanks to Rick for checking and replenishing the trap. He baited it with chicken on far wall behind the release mechanism, Vienna sausages behind the release on both sides of the bowl, and more across the trap floor and all around outside of the trap. No loose chicken was left inside the trap, but the bowl was still full.

Here's what the 2nd trap looks like:

If you can help with doing visual trap checks, or by doing in-person shelter checks... please signup on Kia's SignUp Genius page. 

THANK YOU!

~Katie

---

 

CONFIRMED sighting ~ 5:35pm Tuesday

A high school student was driving, near where we were scouting, and saw Kia running along the road. This was just after 5:30 on Tuesday.

He recognized her from the flyers and pulled over. She panicked and ran into a construction site.

This was all very near to the Wendy's, which makes sense because thats a food source.

Also, around 15 minutes earlier, Luisa was able to get about 60 feet or so from Kia. Luisa reported that she appeared to be in relatively good health, and uninjured.

~Katie

Team Kia Facebook page

Team Kia's Facebook page is online.... please "share"  and "like" to help spread the word & bring our little girl home. 

https://www.facebook.com/FindingKiaSearchTeam

~Katie