Lost Kansas Dog Was Too Terrified To Let Anyone Near Until One Unexpected Offering Changed His Mind
A lost pit mix was shivering in the bitter Kansas cold, too terrified to let anyone near. But one determined rescuer, a can of tuna, and a scan of a microchip led to a heartwarming reunion.
A Moving Day Mishap
Moving to a new home is stressful enough for a family, but for their pets, the chaos can be entirely overwhelming. Doors are left open, furniture is shuffled, and routines are completely upended.
For a sweet dog named Cidus, the commotion of moving day proved to be too much. As his family was busy packing up their apartment and transitioning to a new home, the confused pup managed to escape.
Disoriented and alone, Cidus began to wander. Over the course of a couple of days, he traveled quite a ways from his family, eventually ending up about three miles from home.
Building Trust From Afar
Word of the stray dog reached Tess Goodman, a dedicated rescuer with the Wichita Animal Action League. She immediately set out to find the lost pup and bring him to safety.
However, catching Cidus was not going to be an easy task. During her first attempt to approach him, the dog was incredibly skittish and refused to let anyone get close.
Knowing she couldn’t force the issue without scaring him further, Tess opted for a gentle approach. She left a cozy dog house out in the area, along with fresh food and water, hoping to anchor him to a safe spot.
A Race Against The Cold
When Tess returned the following day, Cidus was still in the area, but his fear hadn’t subsided. He kept running around, desperately trying to avoid capture.
The situation was rapidly becoming an emergency as the weather took a harsh turn. The temperature was dropping fast, hovering around a bitter 25 degrees.
Cidus, a pit bull mix, had a very short coat that offered almost no protection against the freezing wind. He was exhausted, hungry, and completely exposed to the elements.
A Moment Of Exhaustion
Tess knew the stakes were incredibly high. “I really don’t think he would have survived another night,” she recalled, watching the shivering dog struggle to stay warm.
Thankfully, a kind stranger had left a blanket out on the ground for the stray. Completely drained of energy, Cidus finally walked over and collapsed onto the fabric.
As he laid there, Tess could see his little body shaking violently from the cold. He was simply too tired to keep running.
The Tuna Tactic
Seeing the exhausted dog resting on the blanket, Tess realized this was her best window of opportunity. She needed to gain his trust before the sun went down.
She slowly walked over and sat down quietly near the blanket. To pique his interest, she brought out a special, high-value treat: a can of tuna.
The strong scent caught the hungry dog’s attention. Slowly but surely, Cidus started to inch closer to Tess, his guard dropping just enough to accept the offering.
Refusing To Let Go
With a slip lead in her hand, Tess waited for the perfect moment. As Cidus grew a little more trusting, she carefully tried to loop the lead over his head.
The sudden movement startled the terrified dog, and he immediately reacted by nipping at her out of fear. But Tess was not about to give up on him.
“I would have rather been bitten than had to go home and think about him out there for another night,” Tess explained. Her hands and face were already numb from the freezing temperatures, so she bravely held her ground and finally managed to secure the lead.
Kisses In The Car
The moment Cidus was safely loaded into Tess’s warm rescue vehicle, his entire demeanor shifted. The terrified, defensive dog completely melted away.
Realizing he was finally safe from the bitter cold, Cidus became incredibly sweet and affectionate. He seemed deeply appreciative of his rescuer, showering Tess with gentle kisses.
“He’s a sweet boy,” she noted, realizing that his earlier reactions were purely driven by fear and survival instincts. Now, he was just a happy, relieved dog.
The Best News Possible
With Cidus finally safe and warm, Tess pulled out her scanner to check for a microchip. To her absolute delight, the device beeped with wonderful news.
Cidus was microchipped, which meant his worried family could be contacted immediately. The very next morning, Tess loaded the sweet boy back into her car for the best kind of road trip.
She drove him straight back to his grateful family, reuniting the lost pup with the people who loved him most. After a terrifying ordeal in the freezing cold, Cidus was finally home.
