On 17 February the usual routine of the Roodepoort SPCA was broken with a frenzy of hugs and an uproar of sobs of the purest joy as Lu the Beagle was finally reunited with his family after 200 excruciating days.
Lu Beagle, as he is affectionately known, went missing on 31 July last year in Strubensvalley outside his home. His family only noticed he was missing a while later and tried in vain to call out to the dog. “The usual beagle howl did not answer,” said Lorin Leuci, co-owner of the dog. As he was not wearing his identification collar and was not micro-chipped, tensions ran high.
Over the long months that followed, the family tried various methods of locating their beloved dog. At first this included walking the streets and calling out day and night, making flyers and posters to distribute in surrounding areas, reporting Lu missing at surrounding vets and SPCA’s, and using social media, specifically community and animal rescue forums.
It looked like the search was over when a resident reported a sighting of Lu in Geldenhuys Road, not far from his home. The family called around and knocked on doors but remained unsuccessful.
Desperate to find their companion the family took extra measures like compiling a list of over 200 vets to start a phone tree, calling each one to ask of Lu and taking down their details, placing an advert in a local newspaper, starting operation “bring Lu Beagle back” on Facebook and even offering a reward of R2 000, which was later raised to R5 000.
Though unsuccessful, these efforts were not in vain as the family received a huge following and lots of support from friends, family and community members. The family also eventually brought in an animal communicator to look for Lu and went through a lengthy and immensely emotional private search before giving up.
The family went through many trials. “Despair would come in waves but hopes remained endless,” said Leuci. Hopes were raised with reported sightings of Lu only to be shot down when they turned out to be false. The family pursued every lead only to return with disappointment.
The family also adopted two other beagles, named Montequilla and Sunny, in honour of their lost pet. “Lu unknowingly saved two other lives”, said Leuci regarding the adoption.
The weeks that followed were slow. “Though the search for Lu quietened, he was never far from our thoughts and hearts,” said the family.
In an effort to refresh the search in the new year, new posters and flyers were sent out and networked on social media. On 16 February a promising post by Roodepoort SPCA was spotted by a friend. This started a frenzy among supporters. “The likeness was uncanny,” says Leuci, remembering the post.
The next day the family went out to the Roodepoort SPCA to see the beagle they had been keeping and were helped by Kerry Booysen and Shelley Anne Wash.
The beagle turned out to be their very own Lu! Tail wagging and waiting almost as though he was expecting his family, Lu was reunited with Robin Leuci, Loren’s brother and rightful owner, and the rest of the family after an incredible 200 days. Michelle Kok, of the SPCA, who remembered the family from previous visits ensured this heartwarming reunion.
The promised reward of R5 000 was declined by Booysen who asked instead that donations be made to Roodepoort SPCA.
As for Lu, he is finally happy at his home, collared and micro-chipped. He came to be at the SPCA, where he had been for five days, after a call was made to them by a resident complaining about a dog who was left behind when a family moved. After realizing that no one was coming back to claim the dog (who was really Lu), the neighbour of the family called the SPCA who collected the dog and kept him until his rightful owners found him waiting after their seven month search. The house where Lu was being kept for the seven months was located in Geldenhuys street, a stones throw away from where Lu went missing.
Lu’s family has the following important points to emphasize, which it hopes readers take away from this amazing story: “Lu’s story is one of perseverance and faith. Never give up! Get involved in animal rescue. It doesn’t matter if you adopt, donate or volunteer. Any help is appreciated. If you come across a stray animal, spare no effort in getting it back to its family. It is probably sorely missed. Make sure pets have identification and micro-chipping in the event that it does indeed get lost, this will make the process of finding your animal much easier.”
The family would also like to thank the network of individuals and organisations involved in the search, those who helped on social media, handing out flyers, making phone calls, and generally keeping an eye out. They would especially like to thank Roodepoort SPCA (Michelle Kok and Inspector Mike Allen), Charlene Barnfield of Soweto Animal Rescue and Advisory Centre, Charmaine Booysens of The 9th Day, Rita Fernandes and Tarryn Day of Royal Canin and of course Lu himself for being patient and brave throughout the ordeal.
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