Capturing dog takes patience

Published 9:00 pm Friday, April 21, 2006

GRAHAM – She showed up at a busy intersection last summer and remained on the loose for eight months. Those who worried about the border collie mix called her “the black dog of Graham.”

She’d run up to cars as they slowed down at a stop sign, barking and growling at anyone who stepped out of their vehicles. Some people threw food her way or tried to coax her away from heavy traffic, but she showed no signs she wanted to be helped.

Things changed late last month after a woman summoned the help of a Pierce County couple who became local celebrities about 10 years ago for rescuing a dog that had long eluded animal control officers.

Chris Taylor, 45, was on the verge of giving up on the black dog of Graham, then called Diana and Tony Crimi in January and asked for their help.

The Crimis spent about a year in 1995 and ‘96 trying to capture an abandoned hunting dog who had roamed the forested area between Highway 7 and Highway 507. They succeeded eventually, gave the “Roy Y dog” a more fitting name – Brandy – and a home for a decade until she died last year.

Tony Crimi spent about four months trying to catch the black dog of Graham, using a camouflaged net and a cage baited with raw meat. He’d hide in a tree for hours hoping to snag the cagey animal.

The same method had worked with Brandy. Not so for the black dog of Graham. So they tried something else: using treats to try to lure the dog to safety.

Taylor and the Crimis rented traps from the Humane Society for Tacoma-Pierce County, but still couldn’t catch the dog.

Taylor tried a new strategy. She brought squeaky toys and a ball to play fetch. The dog retrieved the ball, but would drop it just out of Taylor’s reach.

Over time, the dog grew friendlier. Then in late March, while following Taylor, she crept up, took cheese from Taylor’s hand and scurried away. The next day, again while following Taylor, she tugged on Taylor’s pant leg, wanting to play fetch.

A neighbor who owns dogs and had a fenced kennel area suggested Taylor throw the stick into the kennel, a 900-square-foot fenced area with an open gate.

Taylor did and the dog ran to fetch. Taylor darted over and shut the gate behind her. She sat down and talked to the animal, who eventually snuggled next to her side.

Taylor and Diana Crimi later posted a sign at the intersection, telling the community the dog was safe. Taylor already has six dogs at home, so the Crimis, who have rescued more than 100 dogs, added one more to the two they already own. They named her Lucy.

Tammie Russell of Loving Care Pet Clinic in Graham examined Lucy. She found the dog had a broken back right leg that had healed imperfectly, but the vet didn’t think it would cause her problems.

For a stray, Russell said, Lucy was in excellent shape.

“She’s doing beautifully and is very loving and sweet,” Diana Crimi said.

“She’s still afraid of people until she can sniff them first, and then she’s very friendly.”

Taylor said she’s glad she persevered. “I didn’t give up,” she said. “And she’s worth it.”