Crissi Langwell
OVA Communications Director
On the morning of March 10, Oakmont residents began searching for Winston, a black, brown, and white King Charles Cavalier. The small dog had only been with his new owner for a week before he dug a hole under the fence and escaped into unfamiliar territory.
The community quickly mobilized. Residents posted alerts on social media platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor. One resident, Deb Ray, put up signs throughout Oakmont, offering a reward for Winston’s safe return. Rescue non-profit Dogwood was notified and coordinated efforts to find him.
Despite these efforts, Winston proved elusive. Starting from his Oakmont Drive home, he was spotted in Wild Oak, along Annadel Park trails, and on several fire roads. On social media, residents expressed growing concerns about the soggy weather and nearby coyotes, urging anyone who saw Winston to contact Dogwood. However, each time someone approached him, the frightened dog would bolt.
That changed on March 26.
After over two weeks of sporadic sightings, Teresa Steward saw Winston dart past her while she was heading to the gym.
“I saw a flyer the day before and recognized him as the missing dog,” Steward said. Abandoning her workout, Steward followed Winston in her car for about a half mile until he took refuge behind a bush at a home on Oak Leaf Drive. She quickly called her partner, who then contacted Deb Ray. Within a short time, a group of over 20 volunteers had assembled to help.
Under Dogwood’s guidance, residents—along with OVA staff members Christel Antone, Todd O’Donnell, Anita Roraus, and Gil Perez—used mesh fencing to surround Winston, preventing his escape. Two and a half hours after he was spotted, an exhausted Winston was finally secured when a Dogwood volunteer managed to capture him.
Recognizing that the energetic cavalier was more than she could manage, his original owner decided to relinquish him. Following vet care, Winston rested in the home of a foster family before being adopted and renamed by an active couple who have another cavalier. Known now as Ranger, this adventurous cavalier has settled comfortably into his new home.
Photo Caption: Residents and OVA staff surround Winston, a frightened escaped dog, until a Dogwood volunteer was able to capture him. The dog had been missing for more than two weeks. (Photo by Christel Antone, OVA General Manager)