A Guelph woman's search for her beloved dog has generated a huge groundswell of local support.
Kirsten Jesse was out for a morning walk on Monday on the trails of Guelph Lake with Jaxson, her three-year-old German short-haired pointer.
A passing bike rider spooked Jaxson, who was not on his leash and he ended up on a different trail and got lost, leading to a three-day search for him that has included Jesse, friends, strangers and two organizations - KW Ground Search and Healing Hearts of Burlington.
Her Facebook post has generated almost 1,500 shares and 145 comments. There have been hundreds of shares on other message boards.
"Honestly, I am just so amazed by the community response," said Jesse Thursday morning via phone from the Guelph Lake area where she has been searching for Jaxson almost non-stop for three days.
"If I could reach out to every single person and give them a hug I would. I'm continually getting messages and seeing people out walking or driving by. It's amazing," said Jesse, who says she's slept "about an hour" in three days.
Despite the length of time passed and the fact that she heard coyotes in the area last night, she knows Jaxson is still okay.
She spotted him early Thursday morning, as did others, in the area of Christine Drive, just off Conservation Road in between Highway 6 and Victoria Road.
"He's extremely skittish. He wouldn't even come to me," Jean said.
Those searching don't want large groups of people out searching as that would scare Jaxson even more, she said. If you do see him, stay low to the ground or sit and try to offer him food.
Jesse tried to go to work for the first time in three days Thursday but got physically ill on the way and had to turn back to look for her dog.
"He's the most amazing dog. He just got scared," she said.
Anyone spotting Jaxson is asked to call or text 519-497-5772.
