Stolen dog saved! Thornton-Castle Rock shooting

Hello,

My name is Carly. My sister in law and I were a part of a very heartwarming rescue/ reunion involved with the high speed chase and shooting from Thornton to Castle Rock on October 11, 2023. This dog had been stolen since March 2023. I am hoping to raise funds for the dog Major and his family affected by this.

My sister in law called me at 11:32 on October 11. She found a dog sitting near the railroad tracks by the Safeway in Castle Rock. It looked very lost and frightened. She asked me to help capture the dog and find its owners. Little did we know how this dog would warm our hearts, make such a great story and a happy ending.

Dogs are my life, and when I get the chance I love to help lost dogs find their owner. After this call from my sister in law, I jumped in my car and met her at the Safeway to try and see what I could do to help her and this pup.

With some kind words, treats, and some help from a can of chicken we were able to gain the dog's trust and get him into my car safely and willingly.

I then took him over to my vet Plum Creek Veterinary services in Castle Rock with hopes that he had a microchip.

As I waited for the owner to answer the call from the vet, the staff's jaw dropped after making contact with the owner. This sweet French Mastiff mix was stolen in March by the same person she entrusted to watch him while she was out of town. He blocked her phone, and moved away and she never saw Major again. She has been hoping and praying for him to make it into a vet, where they would see that the dog was listed as stolen on the microchip. She made numerous Facebook posts, and lost dog listings to try and be reunited with her sweet boy whom she had bottle fed from a baby.

After leaving then vet I took Major to my home to get him some water and get him comfy for the drive to Thornton and to reunite him with his owner (who still thought this was a dream and couldn't believe this was happening)

After confirming with her through pictures of him through the years I knew 100% this was his rightful owner. So I told her I would be more than happy to take Major home to her.

On the way to Thornton I thought to myself, "I wonder if he was involved with the shooting and high speed chase that occurred that morning?" Little did I know the story to unfold.

We arrived in Thornton and were greeted by the owner's Mother and everyone there so eager to see the reactions from the reuniting of Major and his mom. It is an understatement saying that heart strings were definitely pulled. The owner got out of the car and after a second of Major looking at her he charged her and slathered her in kisses and hugs knocking her to the ground in laughter and relief.

After this beautiful reunion I asked if she had known the man's name who stolen her dog, and quickly she said, " OH YES! Here's a picture and his name.

At the time I hadn't seen the suspects name released in the high speed chase, accident and shooting in castle rock. Not long after his name was released and by god it was that same man who had stolen her dog after watching him in March.

So what a heartwarming ending to a very dangerous situation that unfolded. I was contacted by the Douglas County Sheriff Office this morning to know about how I had known about the dog who had fled that scene after the vehicle had crashed into the 7-eleven and the officers weren't able to find the dog after the altercation.

All and all, with my sister being so wonderful and waiting with him. Plum Creek Vet taking the time to scan him and contact the microchip company, and the fact that he had one inserted saved his life. I was able to do the right thing and get Major back to the rightful owner and end this story with the best possible outcome.

I do believe Major will need help with training, separation anxiety, and acclimating back into a normal life again. After all he and the owner have been through I thought it only right to try and start a GoFundMe to help with these endeavors.

Major and his owner deserve a beautiful life together again at last. My hope is to raise funds for this to happen and help with the costs of training and any veterinary care he may need.

Lets help this family get back on their feet!!

All funds will donated to Major and his family.