I’ve always known how lucky I am to be part of Malibu’s caring community but last week proved that my little Chihuahua “Ruby” shares equally in my good fortune. On Thursday afternoon I left Ruby on the Point for a play date with a friend and her own little dog while I drove up to Santa Barbara for the evening. I had just passed Point Mugu when I received a frantic call that Ruby had slipped her collar and was last seen heading down Heathercliff at a dead run. I immediately turned around and headed back to Malibu.
As it turned out, several people saw Ruby racing towards PCH and had stopped to try and catch her but she was terrified and running blind. She made it across PCH and over to Vital Zuman where a couple of people almost managed to grab her but she slipped past them and headed back toward PCH. This time, however, her timing was not so lucky and she was clipped by a car.
Turning onto Heathercliff, I couldn’t believe how many people were walking up and down the street helping look for my scared, injured little dog. The search went on for hours and I had begun to dread the outcome when one group of kids spotted her dashing across Dume Dr. and into the condos. The kids immediately split up, covering all exits to close her in and they successfully cornered her in the back. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or faint. She was alive!
I took her directly to the vet who confirmed she had no evidence of serious injuries beyond a few scrapes and bruises. Ruby is so lucky to be back with our family and doing well and it’s all due to the efforts of this very, very special community.
I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who helped search for Ruby; running after her, calling for her, walking the streets, ringing the local vets, all fully engaged and working together to try and find and save one tiny, terrified little dog. We are so grateful to live in a place with so many kind and wonderful caring people.
Kerry Parker