With no sign of Harley the missing dog, the community continues to search for the chocolate Labrador Retriever last seen in Englishman River Provincial Park.
Anne Gallup lost sight of her five-year-old dog on Feb. 20 when she dropped Harley’s leash to pick up her tired toddler, while holding the leash of her mother’s dog. When she looked up again, Harley had vanished.
Since then Gallup has been joined by a crowd of volunteers from Vancouver Island to search for her beloved Lab. She lives in the Duncan area and was in Errington visiting family at the time.
When Harley did not respond to Gallup’s calls, she panicked. Perhaps Harley had fallen down the steep cliff into the river? If Harley had run the remaining short distance toward their vehicle, why didn’t she return? Gallup’s head filled with frightening visions of Harley’s leash being tangled or worse.
Gallup quickly phoned her parents for help as they live nearby in the home where Gallup and her siblings grew up. While she waited for her parents’ arrival, other park visitors quickly offered Gallup their assistance. Within hours, info of Harley’s disappearance was widely posted on local social media sites, including AARF and FLED, and organized searches were underway throughout the park and surrounding area.
READ MORE: Search on for missing dog near Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
Unfortunately, an extreme wind storm approached and it was followed by a heavy snowstorm. The weather did not deter the persistent search efforts of Gallup and her family, plus Harley’s growing band of volunteers.
There have been large-scale organized searches conducted in multiple areas. Arrowsmith Search and Rescue and Errington Fire Department provided assistance in dangerous terrain, PQB News and CHEK News provided coverage, park rangers and RCMP were notified, plus tracking dogs, scent trails and cameras were utilized.
Dozens of local veterinary clinics and animal rescue groups were alerted, local and regional businesses and governments have notified their staff, daily searches along with an expanding poster campaign have continued, and much more. There is even a Facebook group dedicated to help find Harley. Despite these extraordinary efforts, no physical evidence that Harley is deceased has been found, nor have there been any verified sightings of Harley.
Harley’s search volunteers have said they are experiencing the “frequency illusion,” which occurs when people begin paying more attention to something and then believe they’re seeing it everywhere. In this case, it’s chocolate Labrador Retrievers. Suddenly, chocolate Labs have been spotted everywhere. They are one of the most popular dog breeds in Canada because they are well-known for being friendly, intelligent, affectionate, and family-oriented companions.
Gallup is concerned about people irresponsibly approaching owners of chocolate Labs and demanding they show proof of ownership an does not endorse this behaviour. While social media has been very helpful in spreading the news of Harley’s disappearance, it has also exposed its darker side (e.g., scammers and fraud).
As time passes, Harley’s family has begun to experience the emotional and physical symptoms of ambiguous loss. This type of grief is often suffered by those who have a missing loved one because they have no closure. What do they tell their two young sons? When does this family stop their diligent searching? Despite her anguish, Gallup’s natural optimism, perseverance, and compassion inspires volunteers to keep searching. Harley remains out there somewhere or with someone.
If you have any information regarding Harley’s whereabouts, please call FLED at 250-479-0911 or Gallup at 250-884-6164. Harley can also be surrendered to any SPCA shelter, as she is micro-chipped and tattooed. She was wearing a pink Martingale collar, ID tags and was on a blue leash the day she went missing.
Gallup is offering a $2,500 reward for Harley’s safe return, no questions asked.
— NEWS Staff, submitted
