‘El Capitan:’ Lost dog ends adventure with new name

“Lost Dog.” 

It’s every pet owner’s nightmare. But, Archie the pug’s lost dog adventure has a happy ending, thanks to the power of social media and the kindness of strangers. 

Archie was missing for two excruciating days for owner Amanda Pelphrey, of Coraopolis Heights Road, Moon Township. 

“He’s not the best listener and he’s still full of lots of energy and exploration,” she said.

The 19-month-old pup took off on the evening of March 23 while chasing a deer in Pelphrey’s backyard. He’d done it before, but always came right back. 

Lucky pup

This time, though, he made his way through the woods and down the street, barely avoiding being hit by a car. 

The driver stopped his car immediately, only to see the car behind him open the door and let Archie jump in for safety. 

“He’s a very friendly dog, so he jumped right in their car and that’s no surprise,” Pelphrey said. “They took him off the street because he could have been hit. So they rescued him.”

Two days and a number of social posts and lost dog flyers later, Pelphrey got a call that Archie was safe.

“I feel so glad that I was able to find Archie’s owners and also happy that I was able to get to know him, lovely dog. I found Archie’s owners through a Facebook post and I immediately gave them a call,” said Daviel Ramirez. 

It turns out Archie was not wearing a collar when he got loose and Ramirez lives on the other side of the township, where Pelphrey did not post any “Lost Dog” signs. 

She was touched by how the community rallied around her. “I was really surprised by how many people commented on the posts and re-shared the posts and contacted me personally offering support,” she said. “People I didn’t even know, which I thought was so sweet.”

Several area businesses also reached out to Pelphrey to offer help. 

Home safe

“It happened really fast and I think the main thing is just how people come together and support each other and the power this little pug had on this sweet family that really deserve some appreciation,” she said. 

In a Facebook post, after being reunited with Archie, Pelphrey wrote, “Archie was returned to us!! Very grateful for the kindness of strangers, a lovely family, who took him off the street, cared for him, and returned him back to us, with a new collar, a new bed, and a new nickname, ‘El Capitan.’ Thanks to them and to all who helped get the word out!”