local story about two missing dogs.

[fireworksinjuly]

http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs...0314/1056/News

Life was supposed to be getting easier for Tillie.

Tillie and her sister, Tara, are two of 28 dogs seized May 18 from a home in Tuscarora by the Finger Lakes Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The SPCA said the dogs were living in their own excrement without food or water.

Michelle and Michael Halperin of Elmira brought Tillie and Tara home from the shelter last weekend to start the process of adopting them.

"We had lost our beloved dog on April 22, and really missed having a dog in the house," Michelle said.

They found the two dogs at the shelter and fell in love.

"These two little girls were so gentle and loving, we couldn't adopt just one of them," she said.

Earlier this week, the dogs were spayed, and on Wednesday, Michelle took them to the SPCA to get injected with microchips that could help identify them if they were lost.

The dogs had just started getting comfortable around their new Euclid Avenue home and were reluctant to get into the car to get their microchips. The dogs were so upset, shelter staff gave them the injections in the car, Michelle said.

By the time they got home, Tillie had had enough.

"She was just so terrified by being in the car," she said. "When we got home, she just panicked. She just took off in one mad dash."

Tillie ran off about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, dragging her leash behind her. The Halperins searched for five hours but could not find her. Michelle said some children spotted the dog running near Hoffman Creek on Elmira's Westside, but they have no other idea of where she's gone. They've checked with shelters, and no one has reported spotting her.

Michelle is especially worried because Tillie was in such rough shape to start with. Tillie's spayed operation was a difficult one, Michelle said, and the vet cautioned the Halperins against letting her run around, lest she start bleeding.

Tillie already was weak and malnourished, and Michelle worries that a few days without food might be the end of her. She's new to her neighborhood, so it's not likely she'll find her way home on her own, Michelle said.

Tillie is a brown and black beagle-hound mix. She has short hair and a pronounced rib cage. She was wearing a collar and dragging a leash behind her when she was last seen.

If you have any information on Tillie's whereabouts, call the Halperins at 607/734-9702 or the animal control officer or shelter in your area.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Poor Tillie I hope they find her soon!

[Cassiepeia]

Oh no, that's awful. I hope they find her soon, as well.

Cass.

[calgal]

That is so sad. I sure hope they find her soon. Bet she headed for the nearest wooded area where there are no houses or people and is just huddled down. Maybe they should get that lady psychic who finds lost animals that lives somewhere in NY.