Have you seen Darla?
Darla is a red Queensland heeler who went missing after her owner was in a car accident on the day before Thanksgiving.
This all happened north of us, in Ventura County. But sometimes it helps to spread the word. Her owner, Navy
Seabee Chris Touchatt, 24, of Oxnard, must be heartsick..
Touchatt was dirving on Highway 126 toward his parents' home in Milpitas on Nov. 26 to spend Thanksgiving with them when just shortly after 2 p.m., a pickup truck going in the opposite direction crossed over into Touchatt's lane striking his truck.
Darla was curled up asleep in the back seat of Touchatt's truck and was last seen jumping out of a broken window and running down the road. Touchatt tried to chase her, but the accident had left hism with a shattered foot, so he didn't get far. He spent Thanksgiving day, in a splint, combing the isolated roadside for his dog but didn't find her.
Now it turns out that Touchatt may need surgery. Darla has been by his side ever since he returned from a deployment in Iraq 4 weeks ago.
"She means the world to me," he told reporter Cheri Carlson of the Ventura County Star.
The dog weighs about 40 pounds and was wearing tags.
"She has the sweetest personality," said Terrie Lemere of Yuba City, whose family looked after Darla through Touchatt's seven-month deployment. "We fell in love with the dog. She's very loving, very sweet."
Anyone with information is asked to call Touchatt's parent's home at 408-945-1835 or Lemere at 530-701-2468. You can also email Touchatt at toy4xchris@hotmail.com.
And much thanks to South Bay Pets reader Mari for alerting us to this story.
To read more, check out the newspaper story about the Navy Seabee looking for his dog
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About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
Aileen, you can never know how happy your husband has made Chris Touchatt by being the chosen one for Darla to find. This young Navy Seabee has searched tirelessly for 2 1/2 weeks for this sweet dog. I know how easy it is to fall in love with her as we were the foster family who kept Darla while Chris was in Iraq for over 7 months and we tried (selfishly) to get him to let us keep her when he returned. They were meant to be together and we have all been part of a true Christmas Miracle. May God richly Bless your lives in the new year and always.
Thank you, Terrie Lemere
In the very early hours of this morning Sunday December 14th, this weathered, tired, cold and hungry little creature appeared in front of my husband and co-workers while they were preparing to do their rounds in Magic Mountain. The team of ride mechanics were not scared, as the little pooch made a B-line for my husband Paul and remained at his side the entire work shift. They fed her and gave her water and called the telephone number on her tags. My husband had already called home to say we may have a guest over Christmas - but near the end of their shift, the owner of this little mystery called to clainm her. It was then the lads discovered how special this little dog was and how amazing dogs can be.
By now, Darla has been returned to her owner and although my husband (In truth) was a little upset her owner had come forward, he knows they need each other more than we needed another little dog (As we adopted a little cocker spaniel already two Christmas's ago).
I hope Darla is glad to be home with her Master and hope they have many years together.
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
Thank you so much! I've stopped to assist at a local accident a few years ago, it was a beautiful Aussie who was just as upset as it's owner but we were able to secure her and get her to the vet. The owner visibly calmed down right in front of us because she knew her dog was going to be taken care of, the paramedics looked over and whispered thanks which was almost as rewarding as the dogs kisses.
Can't imagine such a thing happening to me, keeping good thoughts and praying that Darla will be found safe very soon.