Little dog lost: mini dachshund missing near Winchester

Lily, a smooth-coated black and tan mini dachshund, was wearing this collar when she escaped from her family vehicle on July 31 near Winchester. Courtesy photos: M. Savor.

FREDERICK COUNTY, VA.–As a Staunton, Va. family traveling through the Winchester area stopped for fuel at the Sheetz store on N. Frederick Pike (U.S. Route 522) last Monday, (July 31) their beloved their beloved mini dachshund, Lily, jumped from the car and got away from them.

Owner Michele Savor, speaking by telephone Sunday from her home in Staunton, said Lily is friendly but extremely frightened at this point. The 10-pound dog has been seen in the area where she went missing, over the last few days, but is so frightened that she won’t come near anyone. Lily was spotted Tuesday morning around 9:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Express on Foxridge Lane, Michele said.

The news of the “doxie” sighting prompted Dave Savor, Michele’s brother-in-law to drive to Winchester from Germantown, Md. to help round up the family pet. He was not able to locate her, but another friend tried a second night, and on the third night the family came back and stayed over at the hotel, but Lily did not approach their vehicle, nor the kennel crate which they placed beside it. Though she has been spotted, her fear at being in unfamiliar surroundings is preventing her from approaching anyone.

Lily, at 10 pounds, is about the size of an average cat. Shown here with a family pet.

Lily, who is about the size of an average housecat, has only been with the Savor family since May. She was rehomed with the family after her owner died. A litter-mate went to Michele’s sister. Michele says they were happy to adopt Lily, because daughter Julia, 10, had already owned  Moxie, another mini doxie, for two years.

When Lily came to the Savor family, they decided that she would be seven-year-old Jackson’s dog. With Lily missing for almost a week, Michele says it’s hard to see her son feeling so sad.  Her Facebook posting from Aug. 4: “Day 5 on Lily hunt can be summed up like this: I hate seeing my son so sad.”

Contact the Frederick County Animal Control at (540) 662-6162 or call Michele directly at 208-659-6365 if you spot Lily.

Because Lily is frightened and skittish, it is best not to approach her;  she is micro-chipped and wearing a collar. The family has also notified local shelters.

The family plans to hire a dog-tracking service to help find Lily by following her scent once more sightings occur.

A reward is being offered for Lily’s safe return.