When Ruger was adopted from the Colorado Prison Trained K-9 Companion Program, his new family was so excited to get to know him. They hoped he'd be the perfect dog for them and couldn’t wait for all the adventures ahead.
Three days after Ruger came home, however, things took a turn.
While his wife was out of town, Chad Woodruff, Ruger's dad, decided to bring the pup along to the barbershop he owns. He made sure to pack everything a shop dog could need, but things went terribly wrong when a customer arrived early. As soon as the door opened, Ruger darted outside and vanished.
Ruger’s family was beside themselves. They posted in Facebook groups and on Nextdoor, and enlisted the help of their entire Colorado Springs community. Everyone was keeping
an eye out for Ruger in the hopes that they would soon bring him safely back home.
Unfortunately, the process took longer than everyone had hoped. Ruger was on the run for a year — but luckily, he wasn’t alone.
During the time the pup was missing, he was spotted near Patty Jewett Golf Course many times. Every time people tried to catch him, though, he evaded them. He seemed to be committed to life on the run and had even made some new friends: a group of wild coyotes.
“I wasn't horrified at all — I was happy to know the pack accepted him enough that he was kept safe,” Carrie Woodruff, Ruger’s mom, told The Dodo. “The golf course maintenance guys actually think Ruger survived the harsh Colorado winter by sleeping in an old coyote den. I embrace diversity, so it only makes sense that my dog should, too!”
Ruger’s coyote friends helped him navigate life in the wild, and without them, it’s possible Ruger might not have made it.
Then, on a Tuesday afternoon in mid-May, after nearly a year on the run, Ruger let his guard down, and animal law enforcement officers with Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region were finally able to secure him.
“His fur was a bit dirty, but considering how long he was loose for, I'm surprised at how clean he was,” Officer Roe with Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region told The Dodo. “I could see no injuries to Ruger either."
Ruger was taken to the shelter, and the poor pup was understandably overwhelmed. After being on his own for so long, the busy environment made him nervous, and he cowered in his kennel. Then his mom arrived to pick him up, and almost instantly, he transformed back into the dog whom everyone knew and loved.
“Once we had reunited him with his owner, you wouldn't believe he was the same dog,” Officer Roe said. “He was allowing everyone in the room to give him pets and was leaning, in an affectionate way, against his owner."
Ruger is now back home where he belongs and making up for lost time. His parents are shocked by how quickly he’s adjusted back to life indoors and are soaking up every moment of having him home.
“We were heartbroken the entire 11 months he was gone, but this is where we really have to credit our amazing community,” Woodruff said. “The golf course staff, our neighbors, the Nextdoor and Facebook groups, and the incredible team at the Pikes Peak Humane Society never stopped looking for him. We couldn't have brought him home without that massive community effort.”
Everyone who searched for Ruger for so long is thrilled that this story has a happy ending, and his parents are committed to making sure something like this never happens again.
“He's officially retired from his wilderness adventure and soaking up the indoor life under approximately 47 layers of supervision,” Woodruff said.
