THE story of Sherlotte, a lost dog who found her way home to her owner after five months – is much like the movie “A Dog’s Way Home” directed by Charles Martin Smith, which was based on real-life events.
It was indeed a story of hope and miracle for Police Staff Sergeant Kenn Elmer Valle Corpuz, when on Easter Sunday, he was reunited with his 1-year-old pet dog after a long search, and after long and lonely sleepless nights.
Corpuz is from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)/K9, Regional Explosive and Canine Unit (RECU) 3, Admin Police Non-Commissioned Officer (NCPO).
Corpuz with Gasparin, PNP SF Bomb Squad, barangay captain Tupe and barangay police.
It was in November when Sherlotte, who is also a police dog, got lost during their travel along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) from City of San Fernando to Clark Freeport Zone for the South East Asia (SEA) Games 2019 opening ceremony. Her cage was found open. It was surmised that she jumped off from the patrol car.
Corpuz immediately went back to search for Sherlotte, to no avail. She was not around the area.
In this present time when everything is one click away, Corpuz posted on his Facebook account to ask for help if anyone has seen his pet dog.
“Madami po ako pinost. Hinanap ko rin siya sa mga vet clinics. Sinuyod ko yung NLEX mula City of San Fernando hanggang Mabalacat City pero wala akong nakitang Sherlotte,” he said.
How heartbroken he was when he lost Sherlotte.
According to him, Sherlotte is the only pet he has. Maxin, Sherlotte’s best friend, who is also a trained dog of Corpuz, suffered from distemper virus and died.
“Sobrang hirap lalo na siya na lang natira sa mga na-train kong aso. Dalawa kasi sila kaso yung isa, si Maxin, three months after ng training namatay siya. Best friend siya ni Sherlotte,” he added.
Until one day, one of Corpuz’s friends, JB Pelayo, saw a Facebook post from one Emerliza Gasparin on April 8, 2020 about a lost K9 dog in Camias, San Miguel, Bulacan.
In her Facebook post, Gasparin said that the lost dog seemed to be waiting for her owner. An animal lover and rescuer herself, she immediately fed the dog and appealed to the owner to rescue the dog right away since the area is not safe for pets. The dog is also elusive. She was afraid for the dog.
Gasparin wrote:
“Attention K9 handler
May nagreport po sakin na may pagala-galang K9 sa tapat ng Puregold Camias. Pinuntahan ko siya ngayon lang nandun nga siya at tila inaantay ang master niya.
Napakadelikado po para sa kanya ang sitwasyon niya ngayon madaming malalaking sasakyan. Bilang animal rescuer, sinubukan ko siyang lapitan para makuha ngunit madilim at hindi niya ako kilala kaya lumayo siya ng mabilis.
Pakiusap kung ikaw ang nagmamay-ari sa kanya paki-pm mo ako ng maiuwi mo na siya sobrang delikado talaga.
PS: Naiwanan ko na siya ng pagkain kung saan siya unang nakita. Sure na babalik siya dun.”
Thru Messenger, Corpuz messaged Gasparin right away.
His hope was as high as a mountain. He knew that Sherlotte will come back one day safe and sound.
After all, Sherlotte is a fighter, he said.
“Madami na kami pinag daanan simula pa noong almost two months old pa lang siya. Muntik na siyang mamatay sa sakit din. Pero bilib ako sa kanya kasi kahit may sakit na siya nun bibo pa siya,” he shared.
When Corpuz reached the location in Bulacan, he finally met Sherlotte after five long months.
But what is sadder than when the pet you are longing for, does not recognize you anymore?
Sherlotte avoided him.
“Tinatawag ko siya sa pangalan niya at lumilingon naman siya kaso lang siguro sa tagal nangingilala siya sa boses ko pero ‘di niya matandaan, tumakbo siya papalayo at tumalon sa ilalim ng tulay. Dahil dun, ‘di ko na siya nahanap noong gabing iyun,” he said.
He went back to Pampanga alone. But he did not give up.
He asked the assistance of the Barangay Council in Camias to rescue Sherlotte.
On April 11,2020, Corpuz went back to Bulacan to bring Sherlotte home to Pampanga.
With the hope that Sherlotte will once recognize his voice, he tried to call Sherlotte by her name – and to his surprise, she wagged her tail excitingly.
She went back to his arms.
They went home together in Pampanga.
She is home again.
Nothing beats a heart who knows its own comfort and home.
With this, he thanked all the people who helped Sherlotte find her way back home.
“Sa mga tumulong na mahanap sya especially Boss JB Pelayo, Madam Emerliza Gasparin, Sir Kristoffer Santos, Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity, Sir Richard Sto Domingo at sa mga taga Barangay Camias, San Juan, San Miguel Bulacan, salamat po ng marami sa inyo. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo hindi ko ulit mahahanap ang aking minamahal na alaga… Big thanks to all of you! God bless you po and your family!!!,” he wrote on his Facebook post.
Corpuz also thanked John Calalang of Mabalacat City, who donated Sherlotte to the EOD/K9 unit then.
He also cited Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda, for his support to the Pampanga Police Office (PPO), as well as the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel Michael ‘Mike’ Masangkay, who is their Chief Officer then when Sherlotte got lost.
A long journey it may be for Sherlotte, a 60-80 km walk or so.. but her feet remained grounded.
Her feet knew where her destination would be.
As I asked Corpuz why he named his pet Sherlotte. He mentioned he named her after the character of Sherlock Holmes.
I think now I know why Corpuz named Sherlotte after Sherlock Holmes. Just like the private detective, she kept her mind sharp – with a one objective of finding her way back home.
“Sadyang nakakatuwa rin kasi sa nangyari kay Sherlotte nagsilitawan po lahat ng mga dog lovers na kagaya natin,” Corpuz said.
And indeed this saying is true, “What is yours will always find its way back to you.”