Trapper’s original adoption photo in 2013.
In January of 2015, a skinny, sad, 6 year old male hound was transferred to BDAR from a rural WY shelter. His past before that was unclear, but what we did know was that the dog, who we called Trapper, had had a rough life. Shy and malnourished, with a dull coat and and a faraway look, Trapper came to BDAR in the hope that the individualized care provided by a loving foster home would bring out the beauty and potential in him, and lead to a loving, forever home.
But if you've ever had a hound, even a sad one, you'll know what we mean when we say Trapper had his own ideas about his future. In true hound-style, he was a nose to the ground kind of guy and prone to seeking escape routes and following that nose wherever it lead him. Sadly, in February Trapper followed that nose somewhere far enough away that we never saw him again.
For almost four years, he's been simply missing. We looked. For weeks his foster family combed the land surrounding their home. We posted ads and talked to neighbors, but all to no avail.
Trapper on the day he was found.
Fast forward to last week when a senior, white faced hound dog was picked up as a stray west of town. He had no ID, though he was wearing a too-tight collar. This dog was well fed, but appeared to have gotten his nose caught in something, resulting in serious injury to his face and mouth.
No one came for him. But his picture was spotted by one of our staff members who recognized him immediately. A quick check of the microchip confirmed it, the long lost Trapper was alive and waiting!
We drove the very next day to pick him up. The kind shelter veterinarians had already looked over his injuries and put him on some pain medication and antibiotics. He is weathered and old, but still the same, sweet boy. Trapper was even wearing a much-faded but definitely BDAR collar! We may never know where he spent the last four years of his life.
Sadly, this is not the end of Trapper's travails. Over the weekend, his injuries became infected and more severe. He formed abscesses in his cheeks and the painful infection stopped him from eating.
At the vet, he was sedated for the first time since his recapture, and the full extent of his injuries was finally revealed. Trapper required surgery to flush out the infection, debride dead tissue, and sew his muzzle back together on both sides of his face. Without this intervention, he would surely have died.
Trapper, post-surgery.
We are grateful to everyone who helped bring Trapper home to BDAR. Those who nursed his wounds and the foster home who has opened their hearts and homes to him during his recovery. We are even grateful to whoever has been caring for him these past 4 years, and would love to find those people and thank them, maybe even reunite them if they wish.
For now, Trapper is recovering in his foster home. Now ten years old, he's arthritic and tired, but still sweet as can be. He woke up from yesterday's surgery feeling better enough to eat again and start pulling toys from the toy basket. What a charismatic old fellow!
Your support helps ensure animals like Trapper get the care they need, and that our organization will be around for years to come in order to continue honoring our promise of "once a BDAR pet, always a BDAR pet." Please consider donating for Trapper's expenses here, or follow his story by subscribing to our e-newsletter (in the footer of this site), or give us a call if you think you might be interested in adopting him once he is ready.
Welcome back, Trapper. We're sorry you've been hurt, but grateful for the chance to honor our initial promise to you.
UPDATE:
An update for those of you following along with Trapper's story. You may recall that this elderly coonhound was in foster care with us 4 years ago when he followed his nose to some far off place and disappeared entirely. Then, out of the blue, he was picked up as a stray and found at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. He'd been seriously injured by what appeared to have been a result of having gotten a can stuck around his top jaw. Thanks to our friends at Cottonwood Veterinary Clinic, Trapper's nose and lips were saved after an extensive surgery and recovery from infection. Soon afterwards, we also received an emergency medical grant from the PetFinder Foundation to assist with the costs of Trapper's surgery and recovery.
As you can see, he'll have scars forever, but he's very much on the mend. Trapper is a shy boy, but he comes alive around his trusted foster family, enjoys basking in the sun, and routinely takes all the toys from the toy basket and leaves them laying about the house. He's gentle but aloof with the other dogs and still thinks cats might be fun prey, despite his age and early arthritis.
Trapper is now available for adoption and is looking for a forever home! This boy is a true survivor. Wondering how he came by his name? When he was first found in Rawlins all those years ago, the big guy was caught in a leg hold trap laid by a hunter looking to catch a coyote or similar fur-bearing animal. Trapper has the scar on his foot to show for that misadventure. He's had quite the life, but we're sure he's ready to settle down now. A secure yard and a home with no small animals like cats or pocket pets will be required for him. If you can give this retired maverick all he deserves in his golden years, please reach out to us!
