Houston is a long ways away from Squamish, and Vicki Martin is hoping to bring him home.
Houston, the dog, that is - has been missing somewhere in the Black Creek/Miracle Beach area since Sunday evening around 6 p.m.
Martin, who is from Squamish, brought her dog to the Island to work with a trainer in the area.
“He had a lot of fear and I wanted him to get connected with the trainer. I dropped him off and was heading toward the ferry when I got the call that he escaped.”
The three-and-a-half-year-old dog - who was rescued as a puppy from the Texas city of the same name - was wearing a muzzle and had a leash.
Martin describes him as a black mutt about the size of a lab, but “a bit more athletic with a big chest and a bit of white on his chest and on his beard, with a very scruffy face.”
Her plan was to return to the area Saturday to pick Houston up from the trainer, but instead she remains in the area and has been looking for him along with assistance from community members.
“I have been postering the area, but people are just so nice. I don’t know anyone here and there has been a great outpouring of support. It has really helped me cope.”
She added some people have even put up trail cameras to help find Houston.
There was a sighting Wednesday morning, she explained, and noted it appears the muzzle is now on his neck and the leash is still attached.
She is asking anyone who might see Houston to text or call her, but not to approach him.
“He’s very much in flight mode. He’s terrified and is constantly running for his life. If anyone gets close or calls out his name, it just sends him to bolt.”
If you see Houston in the area, contact Martin at 604-833-6331.