Nearly 200 greyhound-loving volunteers were behind the successful effort to find two-year old Aston (GAC’s Coppertone) who went missing from his San Marcos, CA home last Wednesday, June 4. Lucky for Aston (aptly named for racing car Aston Martin), some 5,000 flyers kept local residents on the lookout for this shy dog who was finally captured Monday night near the city Public Works Department.
He survived five days without food, but took advantage of ample water from a nearby golf course. Owner Brooke Raudenbush said Aston bolted out of his harness after being spooked when she opened the garage door. Brooke and her husband Rob fell in love with Aston whose shy demeanor had kept him at GAC for a year since arriving from a Kansas greyhound farm in June 2013. “We just knew he needed to be rescued and we were willing to work with him. Just time and love would make a difference.”
She was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from greyhound owners, neighbors and strangers who joined in the effort to bring Aston home safely. “There are so many good people out there. This whole ordeal has restored our faith in humanity.”
When the search for Aston was posted on the GAC Facebook page on Thursday, June 5, it attracted up to 40 volunteers each day that fanned out across San Marcos handing out flyers and searching on foot thanks to Google Maps. “Technology was the key to finding him in time,” explained GAC founder Darren Rigg. “We kept updating the Aston sightings on our Facebook page and kept in touch with the volunteers via cell phone. Other animal rescue groups shared our Facebook posts so we had thousands of people across the globe following this story.” Some old-fashioned sleuthing – and a little folk tune – was ultimately responsible for capturing Aston on Monday night, June 9.
It was the scent of other greyhounds that lured Aston to a van that GAC kennel manager Denine Hunt parked in an area where he was sighted. Volunteers had sprayed the area with dog urine collected at the kennel hoping that Aston would recognize the smell. Upon spotting him 10 feet away, Hunt began singing a song Aston enjoyed hearing during his year-long stay at the kennel. That’s all it took to get him wagging his tail and trotting over to her side.
A veterinarian visit showed Aston fared well during his five days on the run. Aside from some minor cuts and wearing the pads off his paws, the doctor prescribed antibiotics, rest and TLC. And one happy outcome – Aston was never one to warm up to men, but since returning home he happily greets Rob Raudenbush. What a great Father’s Day present!