Wood Dale's lost dog search expands to Cook County
Nearly a dozen volunteers, police, and even a pet psychic still are searching daily for a dog named Queenie that was lost in Wood Dale several weeks ago.
And now they are expanding their search into Cook County suburbs, including Elk Grove Village and Arlington Heights, where she has been sighted recently.
The search party mostly comprises strangers, many who have never even met Queenie and her owner, Karl Ward. The Queensland Heeler Red was separated from Ward, a long-distance truck driver from Oregon, during a delivery stop in Wood Dale in July.
The dog initially ran away when she was spooked by a loud plane flying overhead, said Renea Burman, vice president of Downers Grove-based PACT Humane Society, who is organizing the search.
Ward attempted to find Queenie, who often keeps him company on trips with her sister, Octavia. But eventually he had to finish his deliveries and return to Oregon.
This weekend was the second time Ward drove more than 2,100 miles to come back and search for his dog with volunteers. Some people spent up to 15 hours per day this weekend looking for Queenie. But they had no luck despite the help of animal psychic Charles Peden, plus a sighting Saturday at Oakton and Arlington Heights Road in Elk Grove Village.
Burman said the psychic told volunteers Queenie has been so elusive because she now appreciates her new freedom.
“At first she wanted to be found and to go home, but Queenie is enjoying being out right now,” Burman said. “But soon her food sources will become more scarce with the changing weather. She's also used to Oregon weather and we're worried how she will respond to the fall weather changes and if she'll survive.”
PACT Humane Society initially joined the search when volunteer Catherine Tojaga found the 7-year-old stray Queenie outside her mechanical company in Wood Dale on July 20, the same day the dog ran off. But while Tojaga called Ward to tell him the dog was safe, Queenie got spooked and ran off again.
A few weeks later, Wood Dale police officers were called by a man who thought he lured the dog to safety. But when police arrived Queenie already managed to escape, Chief Frank Biniewicz said.
“The thing just had felony feet,” Biniewicz said. “It just kept on running.”
Volunteers have posted lost-dog fliers throughout Wood Dale, Bensenville, Elmhurst, and continue this work as they expand north into Cook County. They have also called fire and police departments, animal control departments and even questioned mail carriers.
PACT also created a Facebook page called “Bring Queenie Home” that now has more than 200 followers. The page is updated daily with info like how to coax Queenie if you see her. It also offers downloadable files that contain a map of her sightings, her “lost” poster, and updates about future group outings to look for her.
“People are aware of Queenie, which is great, but we need more help,” said Burman.
She added that volunteers, including five new people who recently joined the search, sympathize with Ward and his wife, Amy, who do not have children and dote on their three dogs.
Queenie has a docked tail about 2 or 3 inches long, a white spot on her nose and a white spot on her forehead, and her muzzle is black and white from age. PACT volunteers said she may or may not be wearing her collar at this point, and she's been sited in popular dog-walking sites like forest preserves.
If you see her, Burman said, do not give chase, adding that Queenie is very friendly but afraid. She advises residents to coax her with treats or food, then use a leash or lead and do not let it go. A belt can be used as a makeshift leash, in case of emergency, she said. Report all sightings to PACT Humane Society at (630) 375-7017 or email director@pacthumanesociety.org.