Pet Parent Spotlight 

Like most parent nightmares, it began innocuously enough.

Carol and Verne King were visiting Kalispell, Montana from their home in Spokane, Washington with their 7-year-old border collie, Katie.

They stayed at a dog-friendly hotel and enjoyed local events. But then one night they returned to find Katie missing. As best as they could surmise, a sudden thunderstorm had spooked Katie. The too-smart for-her-own-good dog had unlatched the door and made an escape. Kalispell is a small city but it lies on the border of the Glacier National Park, a sprawling 1,500-square-mile wilderness area of forests, fields, peaks, and valleys.

The Kings spent the night frantically searching nearby neighborhoods. They visited farms and construction sites throughout the city. Abandoned building and hiking trails. They searched until 4 a.m. that night with no luck.

Upon their return to the hotel, the front-desk attendant ask for some and photos and offered to help. Together they made and distributed hundreds of fliers around the area. Not a light pole or community mailbox went without one.

As the search went on, more members of the community joined. Strangers helped in walking streets and door-to-door canvassing. From local sporting events to Facebook pages, almost the entirety of Kalispell got involved.

One new friend opened their home to the Kings. Dozens more committed hours to the search. Landowners from all over opened their sprawling land to the search parties.

Days passed. Weeks passed. And the Kings pressed on.

The Kings eventually tried some extreme measures: game cameras and animal traps. They left t-shirts their scent in strategic locations. Horse manure from the farm near their home was brought in. Hair shavings and Katie’s own blankets and bowls were left around town.

The Kings even purchased night-vision goggles to search in the dark.

Carole King eventually quit her job to continue searching.

And just as hope was running out, on day 57, Katie was found.

Dirty, dehydrated, and 15 pounds lighter…but found.

Thanks to the persistence and love of two dog parents and the kindness of an entire town.