The little dog that was lost for 13 days, only to return home at Christmas
Shadow the Boston Terrier was so exhausted she could barely walk but recovered a few months later
December 13 last year was like any other day. Larry DeRoche took his three little Boston Terriers out for a walk. He and his wife Julie live in a remote area north of North Bay.
This day was a mild one, no snow on the ground, when Larry decided to take a different route. Not too far into the walk, he looked back and 12-year-old Shadow was missing. He figured she'd gone home on her own like she's done before, said Larry's wife, Julie DeRoche.
But when he got home, Shadow wasn't there. "We both searched all day and into the night and we started to get freezing rain, the weather was terrible and we had to quit."
DeRoche says they both searched again the next day and she said her husband wouldn't give up. On Christmas Day they decided there was nothing they could do and went to their son's house.
"I wasn't in any mood for celebrations at all," said DeRoche.
DeRoche said they went home early and as they were driving into the lane, they saw this little dog slowly walking her way towards them. They couldn't believe that it was Shadow, 13 days later.
"She just had the strength to give me a little lick on the cheek," said DeRoche. "She was so weak, just skin and bones.My husband fed her Christmas turkey and she devoured that."
They took her to the vet the next day and found out that her kidneys were about to shut down. She also had a very serious skin and eye infection.
They were told she would get better in time.
"A year later Shadow is still with us," said DeRoche. "And we call her our little Christmas miracle. At this time of year we can't help thinking about how she suffered during those days and we are so grateful she is here with us this Christmas."
TO HEAR THE FULL ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED TO SHADOW LISTEN HERE
If you have a Merry Mishap, or in this case, a Merry Miracle, to share with us, just email jan.lakes@cbc.ca