Guest Column: A Thank You to Marcy's Searchers
Dear Berkshire Community,
It's now been four weeks since we were made to realize the palpable community spirit very much thriving throughout our larger community.
In early December you might recall the powerful three-day snowstorm and below-freezing conditions that hit the region stronger than most in recent memory. As a lover of winter and snow that first morning I took pictures and sent them to family who I hoped would see some snow when they came for Christmas.
We happen to live only a few houses away from Bullard Woods so as with most days I planned to take my two dogs for a walk in the forest and Gould Meadows, but the beautiful, fresh snow lifted that to excitement. Marcy is 13 1/2 and Freddy is 12 1/2. We got them many years ago as adult rescues. They are the joy of my daily journey in nature.
For the past few years Marcy, especially, has lost weight regardless of what we feed her. So for the past few years I became that guy who shows up to the woods in cold weather with big dogs bundled up with a first layer
of reindeer sweaters (including antlers), a second layer of parkas, and their harnesses fitted snugly around both those layers. More poignant, this was to be one of Marcy's first walks back into the woods since her eye removal (due to a tumor) only three weeks prior.
Every day Marcy tells us when it's time to eat … not so much Freddy. When it's near 4:30 p.m. she begins hopping, pacing and whining. I was leaving at 4 p.m. for our walk. Therefore, that day my wife thought I should take a short walk not only because it was almost time for their dinner but she felt more conservative than usual about a shorter walk considering Marcy had only recently recovered from surgery.
Given the snowy conditions I was alone that afternoon in the woods except for one person I saw later on. I let the dogs off leash to play in the snow and they loved it. They trotted around, sniffed, and had fun. It would be dark soon so we would be heading back shortly. Then it happened. Marcy, in a rare moment, started trotting away, tail up, happy, but toward home, a route she knows perfectly well. I called her, but could tell she was on a non-stop path home anticipating dinner.
To reach the road before her so she didn't get hit by a car in the storm, I quickly leashed old Freddy and began running up the direct path to the street making sure Freddy wasn't getting too exhausted. From our hurrying I was confident we would arrive at the street first. Phew; no cars were anywhere due to the storm. But no Marcy either. I jogged down the road calling. Nothing. I guessed she must have made it to the house somehow before we did so I ran to the door knowing she would be barking and waiting. Not there.
My heart was racing. She had vanished.
In short, Marcy was gone for three days in the freezing almost-blizzard. Our pets are family members. Not everyone feels that way about pets but for those who do it's easy to imagine our fears. To spare the horror I won't detail all that went through our minds. We were devastated.
Enter the community. By the first hour of missing her we contacted the Stockbridge Police who immediately contacted the animal control officer. Soon more groups were contacted. Our phones started blowing up, social media was reaching out to us and the volunteers came pouring in. We had various people in our house for three days and one stayed the night twice. Thermal drones were aloft, four-wheelers were canvassing the area, missing posters were made for us and countless community residents were contacting us and some joined the search.
We were overwhelmed by the support and incredible generosity of so many, yet, privately and honestly, we had lost hope. Within the first few minutes of our search my wife saw a bear exiting Bullard Woods so each day I searched for either patches of blood (although we realize black bears rarely attack dogs) or a frozen body covered in the new, deep snow. Our fragmented spirit only lasted out of dire need and was only fueled by the volunteers. Hundreds of local residents were contacting my wife on social media while I searched day and night in between hanging posters.
Finally on the morning of the third day the animal control officer and Stockbridge Police called me while I was searching the in the forest with an on-foot rescue team. It so happens that four local residents were walking their dogs in the morning snow and heard howling and crying beneath a shed. I was in disbelief it could be Marcy and told that to the officer on the phone. I just knew Marcy couldn't be alive and that it had to be someone else's dog. Nevertheless, I ran according to his directions.
There, down by the shore of the lake I saw the dog walkers, the police and the animal control officer. I immediately recognized that bark: Marcy was alive.
I won't describe the moment because I won't do justice to the relief and joy taking over my heart. (At that very moment my wife was on her way to Staples to print out more missing posters.) You can imagine my phone call
to my wife while I sat holding Marcy in my lap in the snow. We know how deliverance and jubilation feel.
As of this writing Marcy is doing great. So is Freddy. So are we. I had no idea about the spirit of the community and will never forget the exceptional care and support given to us all through those days and nights. The moment Marcy was found I got her home and within minutes the team in my house were already posting to social media and authorities that she was found.
Other volunteers removed the posters while we took care of ourselves at home.
A few hours later my wife was overwhelmed when she went online and read the comments, tears of joy, and utter affection for Marcy and us.
We are forever thankful. This letter is not enough to thank everyone who cared. We shook hands with volunteers in the woods whose names we never got or remember. Thank you now; you are not forgotten. Who were these people out in the middle of the day searching and helping us in the freezing cold? I have never done anything like that for anyone else, but I think about that now and going forward.
We are hosting a small gratitude party for the 20 or so volunteers and authorities who gave us very direct support. I am posting their names here (some prefer only a first name.) None of us can bare to stand a terrifying tragedy, but the local hearts and collective spirit kept us going. Our warmest and deepest thanks.
Some told us this was a Christmas miracle. If certainly felt that way.
In the greatest appreciation, Marcy's family.
Submitted by Brad Fitzgerald of Stockbridge, Mass. Below is a list of community members, organizations and rescuers the Fitzgerald family wishes to thank:
Alex (Alexandra) found Marcy
Phyllis, found Marcy and met animal control officer
Paul, found Marcy
Yvonne, found Marcy
Matt Hayden, thermal drone, tireless searcher
John and Heather Drake: John is the animal control officer for Stockbridge and Heather made flyers for Marcy. For the past 20 years John and Heather have also run the Iris Pet Food Pantry which delivers dog and cat food in Great Barrington, Lee, and most of Southern Berkshire County
Mitzie Smalley
Missing Dogs Massachusetts, FaceBook
Rialene Hughes
Assisting with Missing Dogs Massachusetts
Officer Pettibone and Sgt. Nichols of the Stockbridge Police
Nick Fredsall, Stockbridge Drone Solutions
Berkshire Brothers Build
Ryan Harrison
Alfonso Champion
Zach Yarter
Joe Corcoran, searcher and NextDoor
Jennifer, friend of Marcy
Joseph McCullough
App: NextDoor
Countless invested, caring, and volunteers in the community
