For a whole day, the poor creature remained motionless, 'frozen' with terror. Stuck in traffic, Suzette called on her friend and fellow rescuer, Kristina Ross, for help. When Kristina arrived at the scene, she was both relieved and devastated: the dog hadn't moved an inch. She was still there, utterly terrified.
With plenty of patience and some tasty treats, Kristina eventually earned her trust. Once at the veterinary clinic, the first thing they did was scan for a microchip, but none was found. Yet, her behaviour told a different story. She didn't seem like a stray, but rather a pet who was completely heartbroken to be away from her family.
A desperate search
Suzette and Kristina posted photos of the dog all over social media. Days went by, but no one came forward. The rescue was beginning to lose hope of ever discovering her true identity, until fate intervened.
While walking in her neighbourhood, Kristina came across a 'lost dog' poster. The photo was a spitting image of the little dog from the bush. She dialled the number immediately and learned that a family was desperately searching for their dog, whose name was Lionela.
A tearful reunion
When they were reunited at the clinic, time seemed to stand still. It took Lionela a few moments to realise it was really them, but once the initial shock wore off, her sadness gave way to pure, infectious joy.
Back in her own home, the little dog instantly rediscovered her cheerful personality. This time, her owners are not taking any more chances: Lionela is getting a microchip to make sure she'll never be a 'stranger' in a bush again.
