Ina

Hillcrest is a danger zone for any lost pet or stray. So, when my dog Ina ran away from home on August 11, I was consumed by worry. My roommate and I searched for her for hours. I even slept in the doorway of my apartment with the door open all night in case she returned home on her own. She didn't.

I spent the next day posting flyers while looking for her. I even requested a lost-pet alert from petamberalert.com; they created and distributed a pdf poster via fax, email, and text to 25 local businesses and 250 surrounding neighbors.

I took a break from my search around 4 p.m. on August 12, with plans to continue my search after dark because I heard lost pets tend to hide during the day and travel by night.

As I was getting my backpack together and checking the batteries in my flashlights, I received the call I feared: Ina was found, but she had been hit by a car. The man that hit her fled the scene, but fortunately some good samaritans witnessed the incident and came to Ina's rescue.

Wendy, Jodi, and Glori loaded my 50-pound border collie into Jodi's vehicle and took her to the VCA Animal Hospital. Jodi contacted me and I rushed to the hospital. I remember being so scared, my legs were trembling as I drove. I arrived first and got a chance to see Ina before she was admitted. I hugged Jodi tightly and had trouble letting go. She and her mom Glori stayed by my side and comforted me until one of my friends arrived.

Ina suffered two fractured ribs, bruising, and abrasions  on her legs. She stayed in the hospital overnight and is recovering well. I couldn't be more grateful.