Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 17, 1994 TAG: 9403160141
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIMI EUBANK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She knows her guest - a frisky, tan Chihuahua who sits up and begs - must have a home, but Eakle can't find it.
"She smelled so clean when I picked her up," Eakle said, speculating that the dog hasn't been lost long.
Eakle, mother to Zep the shelty and Pez the dachshund, has a been a dog owner for 11 years. That's long enough to know a homeless dog when she sees one.
On March 4, Eakle spotted the Chihuahua from her car as she drove on Mud Lick Road in Southwest Roanoke. When she pulled over to introduce herself, the little dog was running around in a frenzy and wouldn't come to her. So Eakle moved on.
On her return trip, she saw the dog again, this time in a face-off with a Dalmatian. When she approached the dog the second time, the Chihuahua came to her. Eakle picked up the dog and put her in the car.
"She loves to ride," said Eakle. "She sat right up in my arm looking out the window all the way home."
The Chihuahua has been staying at Eakle's house ever since, sleeping under the covers of Eakle's bed. She's made friends with Shep and Pez, too.
In the meantime, Eakle has been trying to find the Chihuahua's owner. She's put ads in this newspaper, called the SPCA, radio stations and veterinarians in the Southwest area. She's even gone door-to-door along Mud Lick Road, asking residents if they know the dog.
The only responses she has received are from callers who would like to have the little dog for themselves.
Eakle thinks the dog may belong to someone who was visiting Roanoke. If she can't find the owner, she would like to find an older companion for the dog.
Anyone missing a Chihuahua or who knows of someone missing one, should call Crystal Eakle at 989-0572.
by CNB