Chief Is Safe and Going Home - Reunited 10/10/25

On a hot day in July, one man’s life changed in an instant.

His dog, Chief—his companion, travel partner, and best friend—jumped out of his transfer truck with his leash still attached and ran. Despite desperate searching and going door to door, no one had seen Chief. His owner eventually had to return to work, heartbroken, with an empty passenger seat beside him.

Weeks later, a nearby homeowner reported a brown bully mix coming onto their back patio to eat cat food.

It was Chief.

When Chief’s owner tried to approach him, Chief ran. Fear had taken over, and Chief was now in what we call lost dog syndrome.

The owner and property owner reached out to Anakin’s Trails for help.

Team members Debbie and Tommy began by setting up a humane trap. Normally, once a dog starts eating regularly, trapping happens fairly quickly. But Chief was extremely fearful of the trap and wouldn’t step fully inside.

Over the next several weeks, different foods were tried. The owner placed dirty laundry near the trap to add familiar scent. Chief showed interest, but fear always won.

The team switched to a new approach, slowly “leap-frogging” the food closer to the wooded area where Chief felt safest. Panel by panel, day by day, the trap was moved and camouflaged.

In addition to our team, Chief could not have found a more hospitable , kind, and helpful family to help us along this journey. They filled bowls of food, took down panels , and pretty much anything we needed help with ! They were truly a blessing that was needed in such a difficult case!

For six long days, there were no sightings. The team feared the worst, especially since Chief still had a leash attached. Flyers were posted, woods were searched, and even a drone was used.

Then one cool September night, Chief returned—with half of his leash gone.

He had survived whatever it was that kept him away.

With renewed urgency, the team finalized the trap setup. Chief began entering fully to eat.

It was time.

Team members, the homeowners, and Chief’s owner waited anxiously. When Chief finally walked all the way into the trap, cheers erupted and tears were shed.

Chief was safe.

No more roaming Moonville, South Carolina.

No more sleeping outside.

At Anakin’s Trails, we are not a rescue. We are a stray and pet recovery organization that helps animals be located, trapped, or recovered so pets can be reunited with their families and strays can find a new forever home.

Chief is going back on the road with his dad—right where he belongs. 🐾❤️