A heartwarming holiday miracle unfolded in Saskatoon this week as Bella, a missing dog, was reunited with her owner after five days of searching through brutal winter conditions.
Tamara Fournier had been desperately searching for her beloved dog after Bella went missing on Friday. The dog had been brought to a local groomer but escaped through a fence after being let out by a customer. A major snowstorm dumped 25 centimetres of snow across the city over the weekend, complicating the search efforts. Despite the overwhelming conditions, Fournier and a dedicated group of volunteers combed through the snow, set traps, distributed flyers, and even used thermal imaging technology in their attempts to locate Bella.
Fournier’s perseverance paid off on Tuesday, when she received a tip from a man named Dave who had spotted a dog matching Bella’s description near Spadina Crescent. Holding on to hope, Fournier rushed to the area, armed with treats in hopes of luring Bella back. “I didn’t know how long I was going to sit there, but I kept praying she was nearby,” Fournier recalled.
The breakthrough came when Fournier received the news she had been waiting for: Bella had been found. “Tamara, your dog is safe and in your mother’s arms,” the voice on the other end of the phone told her.
It was Fournier’s mother, Chantelle Schaan, who had spotted Bella on Avenue K, following the clues from the earlier sighting. “I dropped to my knees and said, ‘It’s time to go home,’” Schaan said. “We’ve got her, and it’s the best feeling ever.”
Schaan, who was visibly relieved, had been concerned about Bella’s safety, especially given the harsh weather and the dog’s small size. “We didn’t know what we were going to do next. The weather was awful, and she’s so tiny,” Schaan admitted.
Fournier expressed deep gratitude to the many volunteers who helped with the search, some of whom had traveled long distances to join the effort. One man drove an hour from his home to help canvas the area. “I thank each and every person who helped. The support from the community has been overwhelming, and I am so happy,” she said.
“The Saskatoon community is like no other,” Fournier continued. “I’ve never experienced such outreach and support from people I’ve never met. It’s truly heartwarming.”
Fournier also noted that Bella’s disappearance had sparked important safety improvements at the business where she went missing, including an enhanced crate system and a new gate.
In the end, Fournier’s bond with Bella was restored thanks to the relentless efforts of the Saskatoon community and a determined search. As Fournier put it, “Dog lovers win on this one.”
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