Family doggone happy Rex is home
Posted By DON FRASER , STANDARD STAFF
Posted 2 months ago
Rex avoided capture and eluded many searchers in his 17 days on the lam.
But in the end, he knew when it was time to come home.
On Nov. 4, the Rhodesian ridgeback bolted from his owner, Ernest Biktimirov, after both were struck by a vehicle at White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa.
Biktimirov, a Brock University professor, was slightly injured and was treated at hospital.
Rex, however, was gone.
In the following days, the dog was spotted by many people in locations from Glendale Avenue East to Stewart Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Finally, Rex, who loves sniffing around other pooches but doesn't trust human strangers, found canine heaven in Firemen's Park in Niagara Falls, which is popular with dog walkers.
The family's ordeal ended Saturday afternoon, when someone called to say a dog resembling Rex's picture on a missing dog poster had been spotted.
"It's incredible how he managed to survive and not get killed by a car or by animals," Biktimirov said. "We could never have imagined he would travel so far."
The pet owner rushed from his south St. Catharines home to the park.
Biktimirov was getting used to false alarms, however. "So many times in the past two weeks, we'd go to where Rex was seen and he would disappear," Biktimirov said.
"I was worried by the time I got to the park, he'd be gone again."
Biktimirov thinks the stream of dogs in the park and treats left for Rex by others convinced him to stay put.
"So I got to the park. I moved slowly and didn't want to make a wrong move," Biktimirov said. "At about 30 metres away, I called his name.
"Rex started galloping towards me and then jumped all over me. It was an amazing moment.
"There were a lot of people there. It was very emotional and I could not believe my eyes that his was my dog and this was happening.
"It was almost surreal that he was still alive and in good shape."
When he told his wife, Elnara, that Rex was safe and sound, the relief overwhelmed her.
"I just collapsed on the couch and cried, because I knew the nightmare was over," she said.
The family, including daughters Liana, 10 and Karina, 1, anxiously awaited Rex at the front door. Their furry friend nearly did back flips after spotting them.
Rex wolfed down food, slurped a bowl of water and was snoozing in minutes. He appeared very thin, but uninjured, and was to get a vet checkup Monday.
Finding Rex was an arduous task that included many searchers in secluded areas, the couple said. Ken and Kea Reid of the Niagara-on-the- Lake canine control, lent especially strong support, they added.
"The whole community response to this was just unbelievable," Elnara said. "Many people we didn't even know were out there looking for him.
"We cannot explain to you just how thankful we are for this."
