As just one example, Millie and Sophie were called out to investigate a lost dog case, after a young girl called in a panic. She let her miniature schnauzer go outside to relieve himself, and when she went to let him back in, he was gone. Her family called and requested our services and Sophie and Millie were out the door. They did an investigation and profiled the escape scenario. Sophie was given the scent of the missing pet. She picked up the scent and led them to neighbors’ yards. These same neighbors had reported sightings of the missing schnauzer, but the pet sleuth team was unable to catch up with him.

Sophie headed south toward a busy highway. She then proceeded to follow the tracks down to the highway, where she came to a halt. She gave her sign that she had lost the scent. With the news that her beloved pet was not found, we advised the little girl that it was likely that someone had picked up her little dog.

Have you ever lost a pet and gone through the sheer panic that you will never see your pet again? If you love them like a family member, this experience can send you into a downward spiral of fear, heartache and complete devastation. Suddenly, your home becomes quiet and still. All the toys lay frozen on the floor. The sounds of little paws tapping against the floor are gone. No wet kisses to wake you and no warm and happy greetings at the door. This can be one of the most difficult and loneliest times you will ever experience.
Well, there is a new kid in town. She is Sophie, a three year-old bloodhound, bred by Churchil Bloodhounds and owned by one of our clinic’s customers, Millie Sharpe. True to her heritage, Sophie is honest and focused when on the trail of a lost pet. To watch her work is to watch an artist bent on her craft with purposeful single-mindedness. Pet owners stand in admiration of her passion and stamina.
Sophie is trained as a Scent Specific Pet Detection K-9. She is dispatched for many different cases involving missing and lost pets. Sophie is given the scent on an article belonging to the missing pet and is trained to track the scent. Although this sometimes does not result in a “walk-up find,” she can provide the pet owner with answers to what may have happened and help rescuers locate the pet.

We gave her instructions on how to create and hang posters and, sure enough, two days later a woman called. She had picked up the dog for fear of him being hit on the busy highway right where Sophie lost the scent.

The traveling duo of Sophie and Millie have worked up and down the Eastern part of the U.S, offering their services to people who find themselves in this horrible situation. Tracking lost pets can sometimes take many hours, as some animals may travel great distances. Consequently, Sophie must stay in tiptop shape and receive the best possible veterinary care in order to be able to work at this level. Our clinic is honored to help keep Sophie on the job and on the trail. Sophie and Millie are also constantly honing their skills with training that keeps their team proficient and skilled at their craft.

Submitted by: Sarah Noland

UPDATE: Merial spoke with Sophie’s owner, Millie, about what Sophie likes to do “off the job.” “She basically gets anything she wants; she’s one pampered pet,” she says. “Although she’s welcome in our home, she also has her own house, complete with couch and bed. But as soon as Sophie sees the bag come out and Millie approaches the truck, she starts to bellow and cry. She’s ready to go to work!