Family Reunited with Freckles Following Widespread Search

Thanks to the joint efforts of residents and rescue groups, 7-month-old Freckles has been found and returned to her new owners.

As reported by Rochester Patch last week, Angela and Rob Euashka had just picked up their new Bernese Mountain Dog puppy on Sunday, Nov. 14. Angela said she was "thrilled to have Freckles join their family."

But just a few hours later, Freckles somehow got out of their Rochester Hills yard and ran away.  

With the help of Anne Wester, previous owner and breeder, Angela, Rob and their daughter, Christine, spent several hours that evening combing through   and the surrounding neighborhoods between Tienken and Livernois Road. 

They could not find any trace of their new puppy, so the next day, they put up signs on every major street corner and at all animal rescue centers, including the Oakland County Pet Adoption Center in Auburn Hills, and .

Rob and Angela did not lose hope. "Even though we only had her five hours, she was very attached to us, and we hope to get her back," Angela said last week.

Their hope was rewarded. On Friday, Nov. 19, Brown Road Animal Control called Christina to tell her that Freckles was at the facility, safe and sound -- a little scared, but healthy.  Her collar and leash were muddied but still attached.  Apparently, someone had called Animal Control after seeing Freckles "hanging out" in a neighbor's back yard for two days.

That neighbor, who chose to remain anonymous, thought it was rather unusual that this puppy would still have its leash and collar attached.

And thanks to the efforts of the Euashkas and Wester, Animal Control staffers knew exactly who Freckles was and who was looking for her.

Freckles is "doing great," Rob said, and even sleeps in the couple's bed -- much to the chagrin of their other dog, Bronson, a 2 1/2-year-old mix they rescued from a Detroit shelter two years ago. 

Bronson and Freckles do get along well, but Freckles is still a puppy -- albeit a large puppy at 55 pounds -- and Freckles still needs "a little time to get adjusted to Bronson," Rob said. "Bronson wants to play more, and Freckles likes to cuddle."

Rob said Freckles is very attached to Angela and likes to sleeps and cuddle with both of them now. Freckles went to the veterinarian Tuesday for a routine puppy visit and received all A's on her health card. 

"We are very grateful to have our puppy back," Rob said. " She is a member of our family, and we are looking forward to watching her grow and develop."