Fingers crossed for Flecki's return
July 24, 2015
It's been five days since Flecki the dog disappeared, but Sven Hossalla, 36, and Lisa Metzler, 24, were still holding out for his return in southern Germany on Friday.
The couple had stopped to swap drivers during their journey back from a vacation in Croatia on Monday when their canine companion, apparently startled by a loud noise from a construction site, ran off into the nearby woods.
Unable to catch their four-legged friend, Hossalla and Metzler, who are from Trier in western Germany, decided to set up camp until he made his return.
Flecki, whose name means "Spot" in German, has black fur with white spots on the belly and paws.
He was last seen Friday morning by a woman.
"We haven't moved our car since then," Hossalla said. "We can't leave a member of the family in the woods."
New adoption
In a bid to entice Flecki back, the couple has also created live traps, baited with his favorite type of chicken, local media reported.
According to Hossalla the dog has appeared a few times since his disappearance, coming as close as 15-20 meters (50-65 feet) to the car, before being scared off by a passing lorry.
"Our bond is not very strong yet," Hossalla said, adding that they had been given the dog by a friend just three days before heading home.
Still, Hossalla said, "It was love at first sight."
Resident support
Touched by Flecki's story, local residents have been bringing the couple supplies. A forest ranger has been letting them shower at his house. The couple has also been offered a temporary caravan to avoid sleeping in their car.
"People here have been so helpful," Hossalla said.
'Sensible to wait'
A spokeswoman for the German Animal Protection League in Bonn said it was sensible to wait for a lost pet in the location where it had run off.
"When a dog has not yet developed a bond to its owners, then of course it is more difficult," said Lea Schmitz.
"Street dogs are often wary of humans, whereas tame dogs often approach looking for food," she added.
The couple has pledged to stay at the car park until Flecki returns.
"We have the feeling that if we drive off, we're abandoning him," Hossalla said.
ksb/sms (dpa)