Heartbroken owner looking for Shiba Inu that left Hume Ave condo after getting spooked by thunder
A man is looking for his beloved 'soul dog', a Shiba Inu that ran away from its Bukit Batok home on the evening of Feb 17.
Frida had gotten spooked by thunder and left Summerhill, a condominium complex in Hume Avenue, between 6pm and 7pm.
The last possible sighting of her was at Old Bukit Timah Fire Station on Feb 21.
A Telegram channel, @pleasefindfrida, has been set up to help locate the dog, who had been wearing an orange collar with a name tag when she disappeared.
Stomper Elizabeth shared a heartfelt appeal from Frida's owner, Tan:
"There's never been quite a dog like the Shiba Inu. Frida, my Shiba Inu, is my very soul dog.
"Today is the 10th day of Frida escaping from our patio unit at Summerhill condo. She was spooked by thunder that evening about 5-6pm-ish.
"I cannot even express the pain I feel in my heart. This girl, my baby girl, is the one I hug to bed to sleep each night. She is so, so precious to me. These past ten days have been torturous for me. I hardly sleep, I cannot even concentrate at work.
"I believe it is even more terrifying for her. She must be very hungry, thirsty and scared out there. She will be missing me and her two other siblings, Dee Dee and Phobe.
"Every morning without fail, I walk my babies in the areas inside the condo. I will feed them their breakfast before I head for work. Every evening, I will come back from work or gatherings. Even though I am exhausted, seeing my girls brightens my day. My favourite part of the day is lying on the bed with them, hugging Frida in bed with the girls near us.
"Whenever it rains, I get so worried. Since young, Frida has always been scared of thunder and thunderstorms. She would wake up in the middle of the night whenever it rains cats and dogs and she would shiver so badly. I would hug her tightly, hoping I could take her fears away.
"The reason I am typing this today is to ask for your help.
"We do not have any sightings of Frida since Feb 21, at 11.42pm. At 11.30pm, a kind soul posted on Facebook that a Shiba Inu was seen walking near Bukit Timah Fire Station (BTFS) towards the vegetation area. I received a call and rushed there with my friends.
"We reached at about 11.42pm to 11.47pm and saw a bushy tail going down towards the drain next to the vegetation area near BTFS. We waited until 2am-ish on Feb 22 but we could not find her. I was devastated and disappointed.
"Over the past few days and nights, volunteers and good friends have joined me to help search for Frida. Be it rain or shine, they have braved them all with me on this journey to finding Frida. Some purchased raincoats and continued searching for her in the heavy rain. Some of them fell in the mud.
"I feel super touched at what people unrelated to us are doing to help reunite Frida and me. They even spent their money to source for printers to print posters for me. They bought food, from chicken rice to burgers, to try and lure/ bait Frida during the search.
"Shecertainly is a very well-loved girl. I would really love to have her back so I can let everyone meet the friendly yet shy Frida. So that I can introduce her to you all.
"I'm really very touched by the group of volunteers and online citizens, who have all been playing an important part in helping me find Frida.
"Even though I know there might be a sad ending for Frida and me, I just want you all to know I will never give up on finding her.
"I hope you can help me spread the word and share our poster. If you can, please join us on Telegram and in our in search."
Frida is a nervous dog and those who see her are advised not to call out or chase her.
A reward will be given for her safe return.
Tan added: "I hope that I will be able to find her real soon and have Frida back in my arms. I promise I will keep her close and we will never have to find Frida again in the future.
"Thank you, team Frida. Thank you for giving us a chance to be together again."
