Dogs separated during Fort McMurray evacuation perk up after Edmonton reunion
'It was a bit of joy we needed right at that moment,' says vet who believes dogs may be related
Two little dogs separated during the Fort McMurray evacuation are wagging their tails again after an unlikely reunion in Edmonton.
Veterinarian Karen Allen first encountered a black and white spaniel cross on May 10, when the dog arrived in Edmonton in the middle of the night.
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The female dog was one of many animals driven six hours in a truck that night after being rescued from the fire-ravaged city, but Allen was concerned about her in particular.
Depressed pooch
"My patient wouldn't lift her head up off the floor, she was so depressed," Allen said.
"She had a fever, she had diarrhea, lots of stuff going on. She wouldn't eat or drink when she came in."
Allen brought the senior dog to a medical area of a warehouse set up for rescued animals. With no name, the dog became D-50, but staff called her Sweet Pea.
We all had goosebumps and there were people crying. We were all very tired at that point. It made everyone happy. It was so sweet.- Karen Allen, veterinarian
She was given fluids and antibiotics, but looked pale. Allen did blood work but couldn't figure out why the dog remained so lethargic and depressed.
That changed on Friday morning.
"I was taking her out for a walk past the dog ward in the middle of the night, and this little black and brown dog just went wild when we started walking by," Allen said.
"She perked up, but at this point she was so depressed she didn't react as much. The volunteer who was grooming the little black dog sort of stopped me and said, 'You know, this dog hasn't reacted to any other dog this whole time. They must know each other.'"
Dogs come from same home in Fort McMurray
Staff were able to determine both dogs came from the same home in Fort McMurray, and were somehow split up during the evacuation. The black and brown dog had a collar and is named Scrappy.
They appear to be related in some way but staff and volunteers still don't know their names or ages. They are still searching for their owners, who can claim them by contacting the Alberta SPCA.
The dogs are now being kept together, and Sweet Pea is a whole different pooch after being reunited with her long-lost friend, Allen said.
The "miracle" reunion was also a much-needed boost for staff and volunteers caring for the rescued animals from Fort McMurray.
"We all had goosebumps and there were people crying. We were all very tired at that point. It made everyone happy. It was so sweet," Allen said.
