By Gus Saltonstall
A call for help has been put out for a dog that has been lost in Central Park and the surrounding area for the last 11 days.
On November 25, Rosie, a three-year-old female mini goldendoodle, was startled by a noise and bolted from her pet sitter near East 75th Street and Fifth Avenue. In the days since, the dog has been spotted throughout Central Park and in nearby areas from East 75th Street and Fifth Avenue to 110th Street near Central Park West.
“I just want my baby back with me where she belongs,” owner Shira Meged, a family therapist who was away on a cruise when Rosie bolted, said. “Family is made up of more than just the people in our lives. I think many people in the community understand that.”
Rosie has a cream and dark apricot-colored coat with medium-length wavy fur. She stands around 16 inches tall, weighs about 24 pounds, and was last wearing a hot pink harness and a collar with Meged’s contact information.
She was most recently spotted on Central Park’s west side near the North Woods.
Meged, who has been spending 12 or more hours in the park daily herself, has hired a professional tracker to help her find her beloved dog. Fliers have also been put up on both the Upper West Side and Upper East Side, and neighbors have participated in searches.
Anybody interested in signing up for a search shift, can do so — HERE. There has also been a GoFundMe launched to help pay for the tracker and printed posters.
If you do happen to stumble upon Rosie, you are asked to simply follow her quietly and called Meged immediately at 917-664-2899. Meged adds not to chase her or call her name.
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what is the reward?
Who gave this a thumbs up?
Are you joking? What kind of person asks that?
You get to feel good about yourself.
And you get to help someone other than yourself without thinking “Yeah, but what’s in it for ME?”
My heart is broken since I read this story, two years ago I took my pup to Mexico because I didn’t trust anyone to care for him but I never imagined that he would break lose from his harness in Mexico city, fortunately our drivers chased him until he got tired of running and were able to get him back…I still have PTSD. Maybe if you put a reward someone might have her will give her back. My prayers are with Shira and I hope Rosie comes back to her soon.
— Rosie was “was last wearing a hot pink harness and a collar…”
It pains me to read about this, and I hope that Rosie returns home safe and sound, and soon. As a dog “parent” myself, I feel the agony of Rosie’s absence.
With that said, why was Rosie not on a leash to prevent exactly this sort of elopement? No, I’m not blaming the victim, but just pointing out the lesson that can be learned by other dog parents who think a leash is only for other people’s dogs. Pets are a responsibility and should be protected — please!
My dog got out of a harness because she was scared of ballon’s….it happens….when there is a Will there is a way. We were lucky she ran down a dead end street!
Dogs are required to be on leash in this city. It’s the law – and some dogs don’t have the mental capacity not to follow their instincts and run after some random thing. Please be considerate to others and keep your dog ON LEASH
Dogs are allowed off leash in Central Park after 9pm and before 9am.
The other day, someone had a german shepherd running loose right next to the Bridal Path on a weekday afternoon as dozens of high schoolers were in the midst of track & field practice.
That’s egregious disregard for safety
I trust that you mean the dozens of private school students that use the park as a free gym stampeding along the bridle path is the egregious disregard for safety. Have nearly been trampled many a time let alone a dog.
They are allowed off leash *during certain hours* *in designated areas*.
I frequently run in Central Park. I’ve been chased by dogs in places where they are NOT supposed to be off leash. This includes areas like West Drive, where I’ve also seen loose dogs blindly run into the paths of cyclists and vehicles.
Based on my observations, there’s a lack of common sense and courtesy among some dog owners.
* They are also allowed off-leash in the Park after 9am and before 9pm, since naturally no one seems to actually follow that rule.
Dogs should NEVER be allowed off-leash in Central Park, at any time of day. It is irresponsible to the dog, and grossly inconsiderate to responsible pet owners.
That said, I have often wondered why there are not more ENCLOSED, secure areas in Central Park for dogs to be off-leash. Dog parks, I believe they are called.
It’s the CP Conservancy. They pushed all dog runs to adjacent parks like Riverside (where there is zero enforcement of leash rules by park rangers or aynoen else) and Sarah Roosevelt.
Thanks for posting this. I hope it helps sweet Rosie get safely reunited with her family soon.
I’m a dog sitter on the UWS. I never, ever, ever take the leash off anyone’s dog. Even if the owner says it’s okay for him to run. I use my own extra long leash for this. I have never let my own dog off the leash unless we are in the dog run and all gates are closed. I’ve been looking out for Rosie. My heart breaks for her human. I hope they are reunited soon.
Shira, have you considered using a TRACKING DOG to assist in finding Rosie?
I hope they find Rosie. I am always shocked to see people without leashes on their dogs. I noticed it a lot in Riverside Park. How many broken hearts does it take to stop this silliness….
We have a 14 year old Tibetan terrier poodle mix we adopted in NJ at 7 months. She was skittish and bolted more than once but we were lucky and got her back. I can’t imagine your pain in losing your pup. I am hoping you get her back and she’s home soon. Warm hugs.
I’m wondering when the last sighting of Rosie was. I can’t imagine what the owners are going through. Please keep us updated.
maybe we can somehow come together to help this weekend? I can’t imagine being lost and scared as a dog here.
Shira is there a volunteer group for the weekend? I can help Saturday.
There will be a volunteer meet-up at LPQ near Alice in Wonderland in CP at 12pm this Sat, 12/16. Shira is providing pizza and flyers.
Just a suggestion, but if you’re dog tracker isn’t already using a drone, maybe this is a possible solution: https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/roberts-dog-breeder-uses-thermal-drone-to-help-find-lost-dog
I saw scrawled on flyer on Park & 86th:
‘Mexican old man has it on E 88-89’
Can you give more details on where he has her?
That’s all it said written on the poster.
There will be a volunteer meet-up at LPQ near Alice in Wonderland in CP at 12pm this Sat, 12/16. Shira is providing pizza and flyers. Please come if you are able!!
Different groups of volunteers should spread through out the park to cover all areas possible.