06/07/2026
Twenty-eight days.
That's how long Scout, a frightened Shep mix rescue, kept an entire network of humans guessing.
At various points during Scoutās adventure, there were game plans, revised game plans, emergency game plans, cheeseburgers, chum spray, trail cams, kennel relocations, and probably a few conversations that sounded suspiciously like hostage negotiations.
One of our board members is a local lost-and-found pet page admin and is known to sometimes seek āgood trouble.ā (Itās Karen, for those who know. LOL) She sees desperate pleas from worried families with lost pets every day, and Scout's family was no exception. They had tried everything and were heartbroken watching this terrified dog stay just out of reach.
About two weeks into Scout's disappearance, Karen called our retired Executive Director, Carmen, with what she thought was a brilliant idea.
Carmen would probably describe it differently.
For more than 20 years, Carmen has accused Karen of getting her involved in one rescue escapade after another. At this point, we're not sure whether they're the Thelma and Louise or the Lucy and Ethel of dog rescue. Either way, when Karen calls with "an idea," Carmen has learned to be suspicious.
The plan? Deploy AWLCās famous "Maya (Missy) Trap"āa large 4' x 8' kennel equipped with a spring-loaded door that closes when a dog enters and triggers the sensor. Carmen is the guru of setting that thing up to successfully capture dogs on the lam!
Simple, right?
Not exactly.
Successfully trapping a long-term stray requires patience, strategy, consistency, and resisting the urge to chase, corner, dart, or otherwise convince a terrified dog that humans are crazy. Instead, you slowly build trust with food, routine, and a carefully managed setup.
Scout, however, did not get the memo.
We made multiple trips, moved the trap more than once, monitored sightings, adjusted locations, and encouraged Scoutās people to keep believing even when it seemed hopeless. Scout was seen at the newest trap site for two nights in a row... then promptly vanished for nearly a week.
Just when everyone was wondering if Scout had moved on, she reappeared late last night.
And then, almost as if she wanted to prove that all the planning actually worked, Scout walked into the Maya Trap and was safely captured.
Cue the happy tears.
We are incredibly grateful to Scout's family, Ryan and Brittani, for being fully, awesomely invested and never giving up, to Bentonville Animal Services who remained alert, ever-vigilant and supportive throughout the search, to Lynn and Jess who alerted Ryan to Scoutās presence on their property and let us reset the trap there, and to everyone who shared sightings and cheered Scout from the sidelines.
Most importantly, we're thrilled that Scout is finally safe. If her family hadnāt poured *everything* into to her search, Scout wouldnāt have made it home safe and sound.
This rescue is also a reminder that Animal League of Washington County continues to serve our community in many ways, even when you don't see us pulling dogs directly from local shelters. Sometimes our work involves helping other local rescues, lending equipment, sharing expertise, solving unusual problems, and helping families bring beloved pets home.
And sometimes it involves convincing a āretiredā Executive Director to drive an hour away multiple times because "thereās a dog in need, and Karen had an idea.ā
Thanks, Carmen. We all know you secretly love these adventures. ā¤ļø
Welcome home, Scout. Get some much-needed rest and get to really know your new, fantastic fam. Girl, you have hit the doggy jackpot!
