The loss of a pet can be incredibly heart-wrenching. The feelings of doubt and the anguish of never seeing them again are immeasurable.
In Iowa, pet owners Cynthia and Randy Ruth began what they thought would be a typical day with their Golden Retriever, Molly. They took her to a local grooming appointment when things took an unexpected turn.
Instead of remaining calm during her grooming, Molly’s adventurous side took charge. She escaped in a frenzy into a cornfield, leaving her groomer and family stunned!
A Bold Escape
Rose Shoemaker, Molly’s groomer from Spitfire Farm in Anita, Iowa, was stunned to witness Molly dart through an open door into the towering cornfield surrounding the farm.
Even though Molly was microchipped, she had not been wearing her collar, making it incredibly difficult for her family to track her down.
The corn was already high, making it virtually impossible to locate Molly amidst the fields. The Spitfire Farm team attempted to lure her with treats and toys, but Molly remained unresponsive, having ventured too far into the field.
The Ruth family was overwhelmingly anxious about their beloved Goldie, particularly since combines were operating in the cornfield regularly. They feared for her safety, worried she might get hurt or run over.
The family launched an extensive search for their pet, but their efforts were in vain. Soon, an entire team of volunteers joined the search!
A Community Comes Together
Alongside Molly’s family and the Spitfire team, many citizens of Anita rallied to help. The family distributed missing flyers and continued to post updates on social media. Eventually, a substantial number of people became involved in the search.
According to the Ruth family, Molly was spotted several times in the following months, but she always retreated back into the cornfield. One day, they saw her near a cattle lot, drinking from a puddle.
This was the nearest anyone had gotten to Molly throughout the search. Randy and Cynthia called to her, and although she looked back briefly, she bolted again. She was clearly agitated and in survival mode.
Molly Is Rescued at Last
After lengthy months of searching, a sense of hopelessness colored the quest to find Molly. Suddenly, news arrived! Around noon, Randy received a call from a farmer who reported that Molly had been found in a field in proximity to a combine.
“We found our sweet Molly! I received a call at 12:15 saying she was in a cornfield ahead of the combine. She was nearly struck by it. She stood, walked briskly ahead, and then laid back down,” Randy shared.
Rose and her team were ecstatic to learn that Molly was finally safe.
“My heart is filled with joy! Wishing for speedy healing for sweet Molly,” the team at Spitfire Farm conveyed on Facebook.
When her family retrieved her, Molly weighed only about 40 pounds. She was in dire condition and required immediate medical attention. The vet placed her on an IV drip and administered antibiotics. Gradually, Molly began to return to her usual self.
Molly soon began exploring her property again and engaging with her toys.
“She adores her koala… She remembered it and carried it into her kennel before bedtime last night,” Randy noted.
Randy and Cynthia are overjoyed to have Molly back safe and sound. Despite the initial shock of her escape, they harbor no hard feelings and understand that the incident was unintentional on Rose’s part, grateful to have their beloved pup returned.
For Molly, the family hopes that her unexpected escapades are now behind her!
