Panicked pup back home with owner

BAYVIEW – Regis, the traveling dog, is home.

Regis is a 9-year-old Shih Tzu that, panicked by fireworks, fled home in disarray on July 4.

Originally named Rags when adopted at 2 months, he was renamed Regis by Ollie Olson, companion to the dog. As with many pet owners, Olson looked at Regis as more than a dog – he was more like her child.

Heartbroken by the loss of her dog, Olson cried out for help.

Posters were put up all over town asking for information about the missing dog. Announcements also were made from the reviewing stand at the Bayview Daze parade.

Meanwhile, Nathan and Jada Hester, visitors from Coeur d’Alene, had found the dog, picked it up and went into a local bar to ask if anyone knew of the dog’s ownership. A wag suggested the Hesters drop it off where they had found it on the theory that the dog would find its way home.

The good Samaritans had spent some time at Nathan’s father’s cabin on Cape Horn and were on their way home. Being dog lovers, they immediately rejected the suggestion to drop off the dog and instead took Regis home with them.

Later, he heard about the fliers posted in Bayview and called the phone number listed.

Bill and Jan Summers, Olson’s son-in-law and daughter, went to retrieve the dog. But before they arrived, Regis had escaped. The dog, who had been nicknamed “Houdini” because of his escape techniques, had run off once again.

The next evening, an unidentified 9-year-old called Animal Control, which picked up Regis and hauled him to the slammer.

Fortunately, the family checked one more time, and there he was.

A happy ending for all.

After missing for seven days, Regis was last observed joyously wagging his tail while Mom held him. Without the over-the-top efforts of Vicki Richardson, of Bayview, in publicizing the loss of Regis, Ollie Olson would probably still be looking.