As told to Jen McCaffery
PORTSMOUTH
They call me a wanderer.
The story of how I disappeared for three years and assumed three identities in two states began in the back of a pickup truck.
Those adventures caught up with me Saturday afternoon in a Simonsdale living room. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
If it weren't for Steve and Dana Shaw, I probably wouldn't be here at all.
The couple rescued me in 2001, when I was a puppy in a pickup on the way to the pound. They took me into their home in Mecklenburg County, N.C., and named me Cooper, for the dog in the movie "What Lies Beneath."
Dana took me everywhere and life was good. But I couldn't fight the itch.
I'm a beagle, and that hunting instinct is inbred. Dropping a dead squirrel onto the front porch is only so satisfying.
So if I didn't jump over the family's fence, I'd dig under it. Typically, I'd take off for two or three days, then wander home.
The family had the vet install a microchip that could be traced back to them.
Dana figured an electric fence might slow me down, but I'd bolt right through the thing.
In 2005, I kept going. The Shaws looked all over for me.
The owner of a pet -sitting business found me. Her name was Patty Berkbile, from nearby Charlotte. She posted signs, but Dana never saw them.
Patty took me home and named me Moxy.
In late 2006, her daughter, Shawna Craig, and Shawna's fiance, Anthony LoMonaco, visited. Anthony fell in love with me. The couple brought me back to Western Branch, where they were living.
But when the family moved to Park Manor in Portsmouth, the itch came back.
Shawna would watch with wonder as I scaled their backyard neighbor's chain-link fence.
Anthony said I was like Houdini and could figure my way out of Alcatraz.
Chasing me around the neighborhood unleashed Anthony's competitive spirit. Shawna worried I'd get hit by a car.
I'd fallen back into the old habits: heading off for two or three days, then wandering home.
About three weeks ago, Kari Davenport saw me wandering around her Simonsdale neighborhood, which borders Park Manor.
Kari, who likes to rescue dogs, eventually took me home and contacted the Portsmouth Humane Society to see if anyone was missing me.
She named me Ella for my big, elephantlike ears.
And she took me to the vet, who scanned me and traced the address in the microchip, the one the Shaws had installed, back to Dana's mother-in-law.
Dana was flabbergasted when Kari called her. After three years of searching, she thought I'd disappeared forever.
She and the family immediately planned a trip from South Carolina, where they now live, to come get me.
In the meantime, Kari wondered what I had been up to for three years and how I had made it from North Carolina to Virginia.
She got a call from the Portsmouth Humane Society. She found out Shawna had also contacted the organization, looking for me.
Turns out, Shawna and Kari are old friends from Western Branch High School.
And Kari now calls me "Ella Moxy Cooper."
On Saturday morning, Dana, her mother-in-law and her daughters piled into the car for a seven-hour drive to Portsmouth from South Carolina.
They arrived at Kari's house in the early afternoon.
It was great to have so many of the wonderful people who have scratched my belly and chased me all over creation all in one room.
I understand that a new bed and bones await me in South Carolina.
Before that, though, we're headed to the beach.
I'm looking forward to the surf, a tennis ball, and the open expanse of sand.
But what was that Dana just said about a new 40-foot retractable leash?
Jen McCaffery, (757) 446-2627, jen.mccaffery@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
thank you!!!
I can’t believe all the animal lovers out there.I agree.It is good to hear some uplifting news from time to time. I’m glad almost everyone enjoyed the story. It was meant to be a story of hope and inspiration. Letting people know the age old lesson… never give up! It was an amazing reunion to be a part of and I’m glad the Shaw’s got to make a vacation out of it and enjoy Hampton Roads. When “Ella Moxy Cooper” finally went on his way, I didn’t know what to do with myself. It felt so good to do one good deed, I had to do another. I now volunteer at the local Portsmouth Humane Society and encourage all those that can, to do so as well. Needless to say… this story changed me and I’m a better person for meeting the lost beagle. Thank you Cooper!!!
prairie dog
sammy and sadie two beagles from kempsville four paws ",high five "s, we hope they run it all week , beagles kick ass !
You are one Lucky Dog! And
You are one Lucky Dog!
And robertt12870, although the Portsmouth and Virginia Beach SPCA do euthanize the Norfolk SPCA is a no-kill shelter.
Virginia has one of the highest rates of euthanasia and overpopulation in the United States. Reports show that in 2003 the state of Virginia euthanized at least 133,800 homeless pets. I think the key word here is ‘homeless’. The truth is that some people don't tell the truth when they bring an animal to the SPCA, they say that the animal is a stray when in fact they are the owner. A stray animal is less likely to be considered for adoption at the SPCA as there are more restrictions because there is no history. You need people to make life-long commitments to pets, rather than just turning them in when they become inconvenient. Spaying and neutering is the only way to reduce the number of animals that are born, and for whom there are no available homes.
We also have an escape artist....
but ours is a cat who can leap the 6 foot fence in one leap... a invisible fence works wonders for a cat. just the other cats all make fun of him when he wears his colar.. it's amazing how the dog got around.
Bad dog
Cooper
You better mind yourself and have some self control. Home is where the heart (food bowl) is. I tell my smokey that every day. Surgery still has not stopped his urge to walk the streets looking for love.
Naughty Dog!
But, a very cute story. My dog is a beagle/basset mix (we call her a bagel)...and just as naughty. We had to build a 6' privacy fence to keep her in...but just let her get her nose out that gate and you are all over the neighborhood getting her back!
To the trolls trying to get a rise from people...one word: bran!
Loved it
What a fresh approach in writing. You don't see much first person writing from an animal's perspective. The Pilot now has three writers who can tell a story very well and keep your interest. Dianne and Kristin are the other two. This held my interest and I wanted to see how it ended. To the naysayers, this is storytelling at its best. It is a feature that warms the heart. To the few who didn't like it, I guess you despise dogs and want to read only blood and guts stories. I also suppose you have never read a people story that makes you smile and feel good. Instead of the Pilot, maybe the naysayers should get a subscription to True Detective or some other magazine that tells of gloom and doom. Way to go Jen, you got my attention. Next year do a followup and see if Cooper is still at home.
Dog Story
A stupid dog story two days in a row....doesn't anyone check that they run it yesterday? I guess we don't matter. All the dog lovers can subscribe to "Life in a Day at PETA." That ought to be exciting!
Far and few between...
How refreshing to find an article "non political" to make the pages of the paper. It really brings out the human compassion that apparantly some posters seem to lack.
Just once and a while a "feel good" article is nice to see. Thank you!
Poorly Written??
Dude...Use your imagination...Relax...
The wimsy of the dogs perspective is comical.
Question???
Can someone, (maybe one of the posters that think this is such a waste of time and not news worthy) give us all a lesson on what is news worthy? You people complain if its bad news, if its good news, if its pretty or ugly. I bet some of you hate the fact that the Library has so many different selections. So please, take a moment and tell us how its done. We'd really like to know what you would print, so here's your chance, enlighten us.
Great story...enjoyed the read. Good Job VA Pilot!
RE:Poorly Written
No matter what, someone will always complain. It must make them feel better. You think?
The love of Cooper...
What a heartwarming story about Cooper. Its the best story written in the Pilot in a long long time. I've gotten so I don't read half of the paper since its all BAD news and take the paper so that my doggie has paper for his puppy john. Thank you and Cooper won't get wet either!!!!
POORLY WRITTEN
As a beagle owner, this dog's behavior is not surprising to me. I invited my daughter to read it, because it is usually she who sprints down the street chasing the dog. We have accumulated an entire repertoire of tricks to lure the dog back.
I am, however, particularly grateful that my twelve year old daughter was appalled by the poor writing in this article.
that pooch gets around
Is an understatement. Beaufiful article.
A positive story!
How pleasant to read something positive and enjoyable in these days of dark politics and financial ruin! Keep the positive stories coming!
Funny Story
I agree, I would much rather see a story about a dogs travels over some gang bangers killing one another, OR some trailer park hooker bust, OR how some sad excuse for a mother has miss-treated her child..the list goes on and on BUT....
I agree with jh1976
I don't understand how this is a waste of newsprint. This is the kind of story that appeals to a lot of people. We need articles like this. I think perhaps it was a waste of print to have posted certain other comments here. There are entirely too many people in the world that go through life taking pleasure in upsetting people and stiring up emotion from strangers. I think we can all see where the true "waste" is here.
This situation is my worst
This situation is my worst nightmare. She is so lucky to have come out of this unharmed. I don't think that I would ever leave a dog like this outside unattended. It is easy enough to take your dog for long walks, or to sit outside and supervise her. I really hope that a lesson has been learned from this and that this dog will be safe from this point forward. It would be a shame for her to be lost again after all of this.
I loved this story!
I loved this story and I hope that the Pilot will continue to waste newsprint on more like it.
To Robert...
With the economy in a downward spiral and the Virginia government looking for ways to cut, conserve and create a balanced budget, it sure would be nice to not need to "pour" all that money that we do into the SPCA to pay for the gas you reference in your comment. But, it's people like you who have no regard or concerns for the safety and welfare of animals which cause us to spend our money on gassing animals. Congratulations Robert, you have achieved a level bigotry that really makes most people sick!
Dog Story
Oh, God.....not another paper-wasting story about a dog. The Virginian-Pilot couldn't exist without their boring, cutesy and stupid dog stories. If you agree with me, raise your left leg!
to robertt12870
Wow, I am amazed that "good news" for once is a waste of print. On top of that, gassing the dog is what you would prefer. What kind of person WANTS a dog to be killed?
I think it is a heartwarming story. Don't you think we need more of those? Geez.....
re: it's not about you
Robert, get over yourself. There are many people who love dogs and enjoyed his story. I don't think the editorial staff assumes every story will be appreciated by every reader.
Pilot, thank you for a story that is heart warming and NOT political!
Here is one sure fire way the keep Poochie home....
Send Poochie to the SPCA for a day. Two days later, Poochie will be gassed and no longer needing the Pilot to waste news print on.
Microchips.....
If you keep the registration current on them, they work just like they're supposed to....
That is so awesome...
I love dog stories. It is so nice to see so many people involved into one dog. I'm starting to think that cats aren't the only animals with nine lives. Touching story.