CEDAR FALLS — On Dec. 23, Travis Sink’s life took an unpleasant turn. Weeks later it still hasn’t been set right.
Two days before Christmas, while Sink was in town from Florida to visit family, his dog, Ruby, got out.
“We went out (to eat), and she was left home with my father’s two dogs,” Sink said.
The family believes the bigger of those two dogs was able to get the door open, and all three left the house. Sink’s father’s dogs were waiting outside the house when they returned from breakfast, but Ruby was gone.
Asked if there has been any news, Sink replied, “Nothing yet. It’s been radio silence.”
After some initial sightings, there has been no word of the dog’s whereabouts for more than two weeks.
Ruby was seen in downtown Cedar Falls on the day she got out, maybe following the scent of her owner, who had breakfast at Patton’s that morning. A downtown business owner even had Ruby in their store for a time before she got away again when a customer opened the door. There were also reports of her being near MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center at College and Sixth streets where a new house is being built.
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Cedar Falls police are involved, and there are reports of a woman trying to get Ruby into a vehicle near College and Eighth streets. Her collar was found in the area. Sink is asking people to check footage on doorbell and security cameras for any sign of the dog.
He continues to search for his best friend, whether it’s driving through the city for hours or following up with animal shelters throughout the state. There is also a $1,000 reward being offered, which was put together by local businesses.
“We’ve done everything we can think of,” he said. “We’ve done flyers, a social media campaign, and KWWL did a story.
“I think she’s somewhere nearby,” he added, “probably in the neighborhood. I hope it’s just a matter of time.”
Sink believes someone may be trying to help her and doesn’t realize she belongs to someone else. His father lives very near Lincoln Elementary School.
Ruby is Sink’s only pet. He has had her for three years, and they are nearly inseparable.
“I really don’t do anything without Ruby,” Sink said. “I take her on jobs with me. She’s with me 24-7.”
Ruby is a medium-sized Florida brown dog, likely a mix of lab, German shepherd and either whippet or greyhound, Sink said.
“She is really thin, and maybe someone thought she was abandoned,” Sink said. “But she will eat just about everything. She loves people and will go right up to them.”
Sink said the dog is microchipped and is registered under its previous owner, Susan Werner.
Sink has been travelling to see his cousins, siblings and other family members. He doesn’t plan on continuing his trip until his dog is found.
“I’m here until I get Ruby back,” he said.
