There is no doubt that Lisa White loves animals.
Annie and Zeus were rescues, and then there's Buster. Until Saturday, there was also Rufus.
"Sleeping with the tongue out was something he liked to do,"White said.
Rufus was dropped off at a Pasadena animal shelter when his owner fled Hurricane Rita
White ended up fostering and eventually adopting him.
He fell into a very good life.
"My parents tend to call him my little grumpy old man. That's probably a good characteristic, except he was also extremely sweet," White said.
But this weekend, White said, her normally quiet neighborhood wasn't so quiet.
The Tomball Fire Department said they were trying to get a good vendor for next year's fireworks when a company fired off about a dozen as a demo.
Rufus, hearing the racket, apparently bolted through a dog door and managed to get out of the fenced and gated yard.
Someone at the convenience store across the street thought they saw him, but that was a couple of days ago. Since then, there hasn't been any news.
All White wants is Rufus back and a warning the next time the fireworks go off.
"I really would like this not to happen again. I don't want somebody to feel like I'm feeling right now," she said.
All she can do is remind herself that Rufus is a survivor, and maybe he will do it again this time.
I'm so sorry to hear about Rufus. I hate fireworks and wished Harris County would make them illegal.
That is how I believe that I acquired my Jack Russell, Jake. a vet found him on mason road, and if he hears fireworks and the door is open, he is gone. I have to be really mindful of his whereabouts at all times.
Talk to your mail carrier - give the mail carrier a photograph. They cover a lot of ground. My mail carrier spotted my runaway Bichon last year.
Here's praying for a swift and safe return for Rufus!! Please put up signs everywhere - list on the internet (Petfinder.com, Lostadog.com, etc)!! I know he is missing you too!!
And - PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN HE COMES HOME!!
If you could give a description or a picture of the dog perhaps someone will have a way to know if he has been seen. I am a huge dog lover as well and I hope so much that you get him back! I would be very devastated if I lost any of my precious dogs!
I hope that you find Rufus very soon! My friend had her dog returned after posting him on petfinders.com. She also put up picture notices around her neighborhood and local vets. That's a great idea too about giving your postal carrier a photo, they do cover a lot of ground! Good luck! Please let us know when he comes home!!! I hope it's soon!