By Victoria Stone-Meadows
THE love that people have for their pets was on show this New Year’s Eve in Pakenham when a community rallied together to help find a lost pug puppy.
Nine-month-old black pug Kya escaped her yard after being spooked by the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Pakenham.
Kya’s owner Nic Muley-Fruend and her husband Andrew were celebrating their anniversary on New Year’s Eve in the city when they received a call from their daughter that Kya had escaped the yard.
Ms Muley-Fruend said the community came together to help find the lost dog after news of her escape was shared on social media.
“Being stuck in the city, I was devastated I couldn’t come home straight away and look for her myself,” Ms Muley-Fruend said.
Ms Muley-Fruend and her husband returned from the city first thing Sunday morning and started searching for Kya, along with some unexpected help.
“I was devastated and very upset.”
“I was beside myself thinking we wouldn’t find her but what amazed me was we had hundreds of people giving support and help trying to find her.
“I had people I didn’t know, through social media and people sharing the post, messaging me and driving around looking for her in their areas.”
Kya remained missing for two days and Ms Muley-Fruend was worried she wouldn’t see her pup again, but Tuesday morning bought the two back together.
“Andrew and I were having a cuppa in bed and had the curtains open and saw something go past the window and we jumped at the sound of a bell,” she said.
“We whistled and couldn’t see anything but about 15 minutes later we heard a bark and pricked our ears up.
“Andrew walked outside and there she was out on the front lawn.”
Ms Muley-Fruend said she was overwhelmed by the support the community gave to her in trying to find Kya and said it was a testament to how important pets are to people.
“People’s empathy and generosity were amazing,” she said.
“The community really comes together even though she is just a little dog; it shows fur-babies are quite special to people.”
