The Labrador Retrievers who vanished on Feb. 1 from their home in Twelve Oaks have worried many Fairfax Station residents. Even after a week, the Patch notice about the dogs continues to be widely read, perhaps because we all hope for a happy ending. Although they have not been rescued, they have been sighted.
These lovely chocolate Labs are almost three years old. Weighing approximately 70 pounds, they both have been spayed. Jade has green eyes and thick, almost wavy hair. On her upper chest, she has a little patch of white hair. Nia, who is passionate over balls of any type and size, has hair a little thinner than Jade's. Karen, their human mom, describes them as “total lovers...(with) incredible dispositions.”
Continuing her account, Karen explained, “We are a family of five, and we all love our dogs dearly.” The family bought the dogs from a breeder in Easton, Md. on Mother’s Day 2008. “These two pups because our world. Jade and Nia are the most wonderful labs you could ever hope to have; they're just full of love.”
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Karen illustrated that statement with a story about her dad. “A year and a half ago while my family was visiting for Easter, my father became ill. Seven weeks later, he passed here in Virginia. Nia and Jade got me through that entire experience with their unconditional love and constant licks and snuggles.”
The family has toiled unceasingly to find Nia and Jade. The Fairfax Station Patch notice has been placed on sites in Burke, Woodbridge and Occoquan. One adult son started a Facebook page, "Help us Find Our Dogs” while his brother published ads on Craig's List. Karen, her husband and their daughter have walked and driven through neighborhoods as far away as Swift Run Trails; they have given notices to mail carriers and UPS drivers. They have posted flyers at intersections and local stores, such as Davis General Store and the Clifton Café. Each day, they telephone the shelters in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William. They even hired a dog tracker, but the scent was too cold.
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Jade and Nia did show up in Singing Woods last Tuesday night -- or at least two chocolate Labs made an appearance. The resident did not check their collars and “shooed them away because our dogs were upsetting her dog and making him bark. She shooed them down her driveway - twice! We were devastated to learn that, as it has been our only sighting. The thought that we could have had them back the same day they disappeared makes us ill,” Karen added sadly. Not one other sighting so far!
“Jade and Nia will be 3 years old on March 15th. We pray with all our hearts we're celebrating with them. Our family isn't whole without them,” Karen concluded.
Karen and her family thank you for your interest in the dogs. If you spot the two chocolate Labs, please invite them into your garage. They are friendly and would probably appreciate a good meal. The owners can be reached at (703) 906-4387, and the Fairfax County Animal Shelter at (703) 830-1100.
