Losing a pet is one of the most painful experiences an owner can face. The uncertainty of not knowing where they are or if they are safe brings a kind of fear that is hard to put into words.
For Iowa couple Cynthia and Randy Ruth, life with their Golden Retriever, Molly, seemed completely ordinary that morning. They took her to a local groomer, expecting a routine appointment. But what was supposed to be a normal day suddenly turned into a nightmare.
Instead of calmly staying through her session, Molly panicked and bolted into a nearby cornfield. Her sudden escape left her groomer and family completely stunned.
A Sudden Escape
At Spitfire Farm in Anita, Iowa, groomer Rose Shoemaker could hardly believe her eyes when Molly slipped through an open door and dashed straight into the tall cornfields.
Although Molly was microchipped, she wasn’t wearing her collar, which made tracking her even more difficult.
The corn was already high, and Molly vanished almost instantly. The Spitfire team tried using toys and treats to lure her back, but she was already gone.
Her family was devastated. To make matters worse, there were combines moving through the cornfields, and Cynthia and Randy feared their beloved dog could be seriously hurt.
They began searching tirelessly, but Molly remained hidden in the vast fields. Soon, more people decided to step in and help.
Neighbors Step In To Help
In addition to Molly’s family and the Spitfire Farm team, many members of the Anita community joined the search. The Ruths hung missing posters and shared her story across social media. Before long, dozens of people were keeping an eye out.
She was occasionally spotted in the months that followed, but each time she ran back into the corn. Once, Randy and Cynthia saw her near a cattle lot, drinking from a puddle.
They called out to her, and for a brief moment Molly looked at them, but then quickly bolted away again. She was clearly frightened, in full survival mode, and unwilling to come closer.
Molly’s Rescue
Five long months passed with no real progress. Just when hope was starting to fade, Randy received an unexpected call.
“We found our sweet Molly! I got a call at 12:15 that she was in a cornfield in front of the combine. She was almost hit by the combine. She stood up and at a fast walk, walked ahead of the combine, and finally laid back down,” Randy wrote.
Rose and the Spitfire Farm team were overwhelmed with relief that Molly was finally safe.
“My heart is over the moon with joy! Fast healing for sweet Molly,” they shared on Facebook.
When the Ruths picked her up, Molly was in heartbreaking condition. She weighed only about 40 pounds and needed urgent veterinary care. The vet immediately placed her on IV fluids and antibiotics. With time, she slowly began regaining her health.
Before long, Molly was back in familiar surroundings, exploring the family’s acreage and playing with her toys again.
“She loves her koala… She remembers it and carried it into her kennel last night before bed,” Randy shared.
Back Home At Last
Cynthia and Randy were simply grateful to have their beloved dog back home. They expressed no anger about the accident at the groomer’s, acknowledging that Rose never intended for this to happen. Their only focus was on Molly’s recovery and happiness.
Although Molly’s great escape was a shock to everyone involved, the Ruths are just relieved that this chapter has closed. They hope that from now on, her adventures will be much safer and closer to home.