Thank you to the wonderful Cloverdale community
EDITOR: We wish to express our deep appreciation to the kind and caring community of Cloverdale who freely sprang forward to help two travelers passing through town.
We parked our trailer in the parking lot near Ray’s Food Place and the Super 8 Motel. We went to lunch and on return to the trailer saw some people around it.
They told us our three little dogs got free of the trailer and were running around the parking lot! They captured two of the dogs but the third, Mona, was still running somewhere.
Mona was not treated well as a puppy by her first owners. Even at age 9, she is still afraid of strangers. Thus, if someone not known to her went after her, she would continue to run.
The time was 1 p.m. and we searched until dark. Along the way, many people said they would also look in their neighborhoods. Youth riding bikes, people walking their dogs and seniors coming from the grocery store all offered to look for her.
We called the police and they explained their procedures, took our names and telephone numbers and said they would notify us if a small dog was reported or found.
By dark, with heavy hearts, we tried to sleep.
By the next morning with daylight, we set out again calling her name and offering delicious cookies.
Many people gave us good suggestions and one was to go to Plank. We learned of two or three people who work in these situations and called them. We had a picture of Mona and wanted to make copies to post in various places. It was a holiday weekend and no copying machines were available. Bridget said, “I have a copy machine at home and I will make 20 copies.”
Off she went on her bike! When she returned we received a call from someone who said they saw Mona by MGM Brakes. After several hours, we found her up a dirt road. She was fine, but hungry and thirsty.
So, thank you Jolene, Jackie, Chris, Bridget, Barbara and so many more who gave their caring and energy to help us.
Equal to the gift of finding Mona, was the gift of the loving community we found in Cloverdale. We salute you and admire such a caring community.
Madeline Ritchie
Linda Lu Knowles
San Rafael
