A woman from Brisbane has embarked on a remarkable mission to locate her cherished dog that disappeared amid a hailstorm. Demonstrating her determination, she even enlisted the services of a pet detective to aid in the search.
Luna, a rare British Cream dachshund, made her escape from her residence on Kiriwina Street, located in the western suburb of Fig Tree Pocket, on October 27. The unsettling event has left her owner, Pru Gillett, deeply distressed.
In her quest to reunite with Luna, Ms. Gillett has not only taken time off from her job but has also invested a significant amount of money, reaching into the thousands, to find her canine companion.
“She’s my child. It’s been really overwhelming,” Ms. Gillett expressed to The Courier-Mail, illustrating the profound bond she shares with her pet. Luna, whom she refers to as her first dog, has been a part of her life for a year and four months. She decided to welcome Luna into her life after returning from Sweden, where she previously resided.
The emotional toll of the situation is such that Ms. Gillett has found it unbearable to return to her home in Newstead, underscoring the depth of her attachment to Luna.
‘I haven’t even been able to bear returning to my home in Newstead.’
Ms Gillett enlisted hundreds of volunteers, distributed thousands of leaflets, and even hired a pet detective, who she has not named but said is a former police officer.
She said the detective does not believe Luna was stolen, despite the dog’s hefty price tag of $5,500.
Luna (pictured) has been missing since October 27 after she ran away from her Brisbane home
Instead, they suspect the puppy may be hiding in dense bushland near creeks and parks.
‘Luna is a timid dog and although she’s tiny she can run fast, so if people have seen her she could have run off,’ Ms Gillett said.
‘There have been groups out every day looking and there are hundreds of comments and likes on the (Facebook) posts I’ve been putting up every day.
‘I’m now hoping the reward will help.’
The search has already cost Ms Gillett about $4000, but a GoFundMe campaign has raised an additional $1000 to fund the next phase: thermal drone searches.
Industrial Drone Services Australia has deployed cutting-edge drones equipped with sensitive thermal cameras to scan scrub and forest areas.
They have flown during the coolest hours of the morning, when warm-blooded animals stand out against the cooler surroundings.
‘They looked as far as 3.5km away (from her father’s house). It was a $40,000 drone with cameras which can zoom right in, they can tell the difference between a wallaby or a possum and a dog,’ Ms Gillett said.
Luna’s owner Pru Gillett has deployed drones, a private detective and volunteers to find her
‘I also had someone with a thermal telescope approach me to help,’ the dog owner said.
‘I’m not someone who’s good at asking for help, so the response has been amazing, I’ve been getting phone calls all the time.’
Ms Gillett has also offered a $5,000 reward for Luna’s safe return to herself or a vet.
She continues to monitor social media sites like Gumtree in case Luna is listed for sale, and checks daily with the RSPCA and local councils.
The ordeal has drawn comparisons to the survival story of Valerie, another miniature dachshund who became world-famous after being found alive on Kangaroo Island.
Her owners had brought her on a family holiday when the dog went missing for 540 days.
‘That story gives me hope,’ Ms Gillett said.
‘Tonight, Luna might be outside, all alone in the dark, hungry and scared. I just want to bring her home.’
