Holbeach dog-lover rescues pooch following two nights missing in freezing conditions
A dog has been found following a desperate search for the tired and frightened animal - which had been missing for two nights.
A one-year-old American Bull Dog cross breed, renamed Lola, had been seen running free around Holbeach Bank after being reported as missing on social media.
The pooch has been taken in by Sarah Phoenix who helped lead the rescue mission to capture her – and reunited with her sibling Barry.
Miss Phoenix, 38, said: “I saw the lost dog post and didn’t make the connection – it’s Barry’s sister – and I was following the whole thing closely.
“The dog had got off the lead and there were quite a few confusing posts about who the dog had been passed to.
“She was running about in fields behind Holbeach Bank and I spotted her on Saturday.”
After seeing the pup Miss Phoenix rushed out still dressed in her pyjamas with the help of a friend to try and catch Lola – originally named Zola and then Pola.
She said: “Every time we got close she bolted.
“There are dykes filled with ice and frozen water and two other ladies, one heavily pregnant, joined the search.
“We were trekking across fields – me in my pyjamas – and were out for about two hours.
“In the end she (Lola) was shattered and cornered herself in an alleyway and we drove her straight home.
“She is safe now.”
As Lola had two names before it was difficult to call her and Ms Phoenix said: “She didn’t respond to it – but we brought her home and she is comfortable now.
“She is barking a lot and she is very affectionate.”
Miss Phoenix and her family are fostering Lola temporarily and it seems the dog had a number of previous owners and was kept in a cage.
She said: “She has cage sores – she was with a couple and then passed on.”
Lola went missing Thursday night (January 18) and spent two nights in freezing temperatures and three days roaming free.
The vets have assessed Lola’s health and although Miss Phoenix would love to keep her they do not have the facility for another dog currently.
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She said: “The dog was missing on the night it was minus five degrees.
“We are going to foster her for now and get her better.
“We have another vet appointment in two weeks.”
A fundraiser on social media has seen the community help raise money towards veterinary care.
With care from the vet Lola has been measured and confirmed that she is not an XL Bully.
Lola is happy to be sleeping on the sofa with some new toys for comfort and settled into the family, being ‘gentle’ with Sarah’s daughter Ellie.
Miss Phoenix said: “She is one hundred percent better – but it is baby steps.
“It is important to find the right person for her that she trusts – someone she bonds with.”
Lucky Lola will be fostered by Ms Phoenix for now before rehoming and is registered to the original breeder.
