The Wendell Branch family of Raeford had a scare recently when two-year-old Piper, a retriever mix, escaped from her “Dad” while out on a walk.
Her owner uses a wheelchair and wasn’t able to catch Piper, who serves as a support dog for him, according to a missing dog flyer that the Branch family shared throughout town.
The family sought help from the community to try and locate the dog, and found an outpouring of support from all across Raeford and beyond. The Raeford Police Department, Hoke County Animal Control and Animal Shelter, neighborhood mail carriers, local banks and insurance agents, a deputy sheriff with the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, Roses, grocery stores, convenience stores, neighbors and many merchants in the area all helped spread the word about the missing support dog, the family wrote in a letter of thanks.
The story had a happy ending: Piper returned home on her own after going missing. Piper and her “Dad” were reunited, and the family said they were grateful to everyone who helped out in the search for the missing dog.
“There are so many good people in our county and city, it would just be impossible to name them all. But when Wendell’s beloved support dog went missing, they all rallied to help and showed great compassion for him,” a thank-you letter stated. “Thank you one and all for the help and concern you showed him, God bless you all.”
