The search for a missing dog that went viral on social media brings her home safely

BOZEMAN — The missing dog named Pie we reported on last week has been found safe and sound, raising many questions in the community about how we protect our four-legged friends and what we do when they do go missing.

Alison Totten and her family searched on social media for their missing Bernese Mountain Dog Pie.

On Sunday she was able to bring the exhausted dog back home.

Upon examination, it was found that Pie had lost 15 pounds and had walked long distances during the days she was away.

“After 30 days of wandering, she somehow came home and I'm just happy to get a second chance with her,” says Totten.

Since Pie's return, she has been inseparably linked to Totten's family.

“Yeah, I haven't taken the leash off either. I have a tracker on her and I have a second tracker that I might put on her too! I try not to be a nervous mom, but I keep a very close eye on her,” says Totten.

Dog trainer and veterinarian Patricia Brewster says trackers are the best way to keep an eye on your pet, but she advises against using the Apple Air Tag.

“It's difficult in Bozeman because a lot of us hike here. So I would say in Bozeman, Montana, Garmin is the best because it has a GPS tracker. They're expensive. They cost up to $300, but it's worth it,” Brewster says.

She says the vet is a good place to go if a dog goes missing.

“I would just say, whenever a dog of yours goes missing, don't underestimate calling all the vets in the area first. If your dog is microchipped, which all dogs should be, make sure at all vet visits to check the microchip and make sure it's working every time,” Brewster says.

She recommends training your dog to have a positive experience when you grab him by his collar in case he needs to be caught.

“When you get a new puppy or adopt a dog, a life-saving behavior you can train is called 'collar grasping.' Positively train your dog with food by feeding the dog while touching and grasping the collar. This way, if the dog should get lost, people will be able to grab the dog's collar because the dog has had a positive experience with strangers.”

Brewster also says that dogs need at least three months to adjust to a new home. But what happens if they manage to escape?

“Don’t underestimate Facebook, don’t underestimate Instagram.”

Totten can attest to this: “Social media has definitely taken off. It's been a great tool. I don't know much about it, but I've found it to be a huge advantage.”

And their conclusion is:

“I know how many people have been looking for her, how many hours they have spent, how many signs they have made and how much effort they have put into finding her. I will be forever grateful and I will be the first to sign up and help others find a dog.”