Lost in London? Who do you call?

What would you do if you found a lost dog in London? Who would you call? Where would you go?

The Mistress found herself in this position at the weekend. No, not because I disappeared – I only run off if there’s food involved – but because she and a friend found a dog running free on Bayswater Road.

Those of you who know this particular street, you’ll know what a lucky escape this dog had. It’s one of London’s busiest roads and drivers and cyclists don’t stop for anyone or anything, even at the lights.

The Mistress and friend managed to catch the dog and check his tags. This very handsome chocolate-coloured chap had come all the way from Kentucky, USA. And here he was, jaywalking, in central London!

The Mistress could see that this was a much loved dog. You don’t ship your pet over unless it’s the real deal. He had American tags and his London address but no mobile to call. Even the Mistress, who prides herself on knowing about dogs in London was tested. Several dog owners stopped to help with suggestions about what to do next, including some helpful Americans who tried to call the US with their cell phone! Then we all walked back into the park, to see if we could see anyone looking frantic – to no avail. The Mistress decided to get us home so that she and her friend could start making some calls.

They called the Royal Parks Police (we’d been in Kensington Gardens) but just got an answer machine. They then called the Metropolitan Police who gave them a different number and they got through to the British Transport Police - who act as call handlers for the Royal Parks lot. Eventually, they got through to the nearest police station who said…we can’t do anything! One suggested trying to find a police station with a dog kennel.

And forget the dog warden; Westminster has one for the whole borough, available only on weekdays.

But the Mistress’ friend is an organised kinda gal and has an cab account. She suggested that the Mistress go round to the address on the dog’s tag and even if there was no-one home, she could leave a note with all her details.

So that’s what she did - and the owners weren’t there. Because they were out, in London, sick with worry, trying to find their dog. But a neighbour was home and he offered to look after the dog until the owners returned.

The Mistress worried endlessly about whether she had done the right thing. The dog-owning cab driver reassured her that she had. And then we all waited. The Mistress’ other half had returned by then; why is he never around when there’s a dog crisis?

Several hours later, the dog’s owners called. Boy were they relieved! The Mistress knew exactly how they must have been feeling. And the owners confirmed everything the Mistress suspected – that dog was a much-loved member of the family. In fact, had he not been able to come with them, his American owners would have given the UK a wide berth.

They offered a reward but, quite rightly, the Mistress turned it down. It was enough that dog and owners had been reunited. Losing your best friend is something nobody wants to think about!

So what’s the upshot of this Sunday morning drama? First, do you know what to do if you lose your dog? (If you don’t, then find out!). But second, what do you do if you find a dog? Who do you call? The Mistress is going to find out because even she didn’t know. If the dog hadn’t got a London address on his tag, I’d still be sharing my space with him. Not good! The Mistress now knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that I won’t share her with anyone!

In the meantime, make sure that your dog is chipped (although that wouldn’t have helped this weekend) and that your mobile (cell) phone is engraved on your dog’s tag.

At least this story has a happy ending; a lost American in London found a guardian angel. His owners said so, so it must be true! Of course, I am sure they meant ME, really….

Woof Woof