FORT POLK, La. -- A Fort Polk Family has discovered that happy endings can happen unexpectedly.
Their story began when Sgt. 1st Class Keven Henry, Task Force 3, Operations Group, and his Family took a trip to Georgia with their new puppy, Buddy, in tow.
The Henrys were in Georgia for their son's graduation and to visit Family. Toward the end of that trip, Buddy, a pug, escaped. "I left him with a friend and he got out. We looked all over for him, but we couldn't stay. We had to get back to Fort Polk," said Henry. "My girls, (Kevena, 11, and Marissa, 9) were highly upset, we all were."
The Henrys hoped that Buddy would be found and returned to them because he had a microchip implant and when he disappeared, he was wearing a collar and dog tags. Henry said he told his Family that if Buddy didn't show up, they would get another dog after he retired. "I just couldn't go through getting another dog right away," said Henry.
That was probably a good decision considering that eight months later, the Henrys got a call from Nassau County Animal Services in Florida. The Florida shelter told the Henrys that Buddy had been turned in to them as a stray. The shelter's staff found Buddy's microchip, called for owner information and made the call to Fort Polk.
Henry said the call from Florida was a surprise. "It had been such a long time. I didn't know if Buddy would remember us," said Henry. Worried or not, the Family wanted Buddy back.
Deborah L. Biggs, director of Nassau County Animal Services, talked to the Henrys and was instrumental in coordinating Buddy's trip from Florida to Fort Polk. "I want to thank all the volunteers that made this happen. The organizations instrumental in getting Buddy home include Nassau County Animal Services, Miracle Strip Aviation, Destin, Fla., Galaxy Aviation, Ray's Collision Services, Help Four Paws, Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, Walton Beach, Fla., St. Tammany Humane Society and the Calcasieu Parish Animal Services, Lake Charles. Buddy was flown on several short air plane trips from Florida to Louisiana and returned to the Henry Family."
Nikki McCoy, cruelty investigator for the Calcasieu Parish Animal Service drove Buddy to Fort Polk on the last leg of his trip. "This is the kind of thing that makes my job worthwhile. I'm an animal investigator and I come across a lot of sad situations. But when I see the look in a child's eyes as a pet is returned, it makes my job worthwhile. This is why I do what I do," said McCoy.
Losing a pet can be devastating. That's why McCoy advocates the use of microchips. "Microchip your animals. It's well worth it," she said.
"If we hadn't microchipped him, we would never have gotten Buddy back," said Henry.
The fact that Buddy was lost in Georgia and found in Florida amazes Henry. "I don't understand how he made it," said Henry.
What happened to Buddy during those eight months is anybody's guess. It was probably an adventure of pug proportions, but until dogs learn to talk, the story of Buddy's journey will remain a mystery.
At the reunion Feb. 1 at the Visitor's Center in front of Fort Polk's main gate, the Family showered affection on their lost friend. "This is great. We appreciate everything everyone did to get Buddy back to us," said Henry.
Buddy is a Family pet, but Henry's spouse, Melissa, said that Henry originally bought the dog for her. As she hugged Buddy, she said, "He's my baby."
Their daughter, Kevena, was there when Buddy was returned. "I'm really happy. When I get him home I'm going to play with him and take good care of him."
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