Shiva, Dog Spooked By Fireworks, Goes Missing On July 4

PECONIC, NY — Shiva, like so many dogs terrified by fireworks on July 4, went missing on the North Fork Saturday, and her owner is trying desperately to find her.

Shiva, Iris Welcome said, is a three-and-a-half-year-old rescue from the Dominican Republic; she weighs about 35 lbs. and went missing from Burtis Place in Peconic when, spooked by the booming fireworks, she escaped through a hole in the fence while home with a dog sitter and ran down to Goldsmith Inlet. She is microchipped and has a floral collar with Welcome's contact information.

Shiva, a Basenji and Vizla mix, was last seen running the beach up by the Beachcomber Resort Motel in Cutchogue, Welcome said.

"She is very smart, but spooks easily," she said. Shiva, she said, loves treats, so anyone who sees her should try to give her one. "She won't come to most people, but she will be scared and tired," she said.

Welcome was desperately searching the farm fields in Mattituck Saturday night. "Shiva is like my adopted child," she said. "I'm committed to keeping her safe and healthy, which is why it kills me right now, that she's alone and scared. When I came across her as a street pup in the Dominican Republic, I said, 'I can't save all the dogs here, but I can do this one thing for this one dog.' I told her it wouldn't be perfect, but I'd keep her healthy and safe."

As she searched alone in the dark for her precious pet, Welcome said: "I'm realizing for the first time how big the North Fork actually is. I need help looking."

If you see Shiva or want to volunteer to help search, call Iris Welcome at 631-276-2032.

More dogs go missing on July 4 and 5 than any other days of the year, due to fear of fireworks. If your dog is lost, find tips on what to do here.