THE REAL STORY

Luna was rescued from the streets of Cyprus by Melina (Mel in the book), the founder of SuperDogs Rescue, after being dumped, and was adopted six months later by the author of this book, Karen. Luna took what is aptly named as a Freedom Flight to reach the UK. It was a match made in heaven, and Luna was given the pampered life that she always deserved. However, after only two months of living her best life, she was frightened by fireworks on 1 November 2020 and literally ran for the hills.

Karen was absolutely devastated, but was extremely grateful that so many kind volunteers were looking out for Luna on the run, spreading word of her disappearance and reporting back sightings. Luckily, a local organisation, Solstice Missing Dogs (SMD), joined the search and gave valuable advice to the searchers as well as generating and putting up posters alongside other compassionate helpers; most of whom had never met Luna before. They were also mapping her sightings to understand patterns of routes and behaviours, accessed drones and set hidden cameras to help spot her, and laid traps with nice-smelling treats inside.

SMD does not feature in the book (other than to the keen eye on the missing poster) but they were instrumental in bringing Luna home safely; working determinedly behind the scenes, along with the public. The operation went on for ten long days with hope dwindling for poor little lost Luna. From sightings, we could tell that she was mainly living in Bentley Woods, just to the east of Salisbury, and seemed to be venturing out each day in different directions. She was sighted trotting along roads (once where she almost collided with a car), besides train tracks, running across fields, leaping fences, and sneaking into people’s gardens.

On the tenth day, after Luna had clocked about 100 miles, a sympathetic gentleman, Paul, dialled in to report that he could see Luna across the field from his house. With advice from SMD, Paul lured Luna into his garden by feeding his own dogs, and then eventually into the kitchen where Luna was finally safe and secure. Luna was subsequently brought back home (half an hour’s drive away!), and once she realised where she was, she really did squeal with delight and then slept for two days.

Luna has since been back enjoying her life of luxury, and the love from those that know her. She is still very much enjoying the great outdoors but now has a GPS tracker attached to her collar so that she can always be located!

It is with the hope that Luna’s story will spread awareness of missing pets, and the efforts that are made by kind people to bring them home safely. It is also in the hope that this might inspire others to adopt an animal in need. After they have had an unfortunate start to life, it is one of the most rewarding things to be able to make an animal happy and to repair their confidence in the world.