A community in Anglesey experienced a tense ordeal earlier this week after a much-loved pet vanished without a trace during a routine walk. Roxie, a five-year-old Jack Tzu—a cross between a Jack Russell and Shih Tzu—became separated from her family near the scenic dunes of Aberffraw, prompting a concerted local effort to bring her home safely.
The incident unfolded on a bright Monday afternoon when Liz Richardson’s mother-in-law, Margaret, set out for a stroll with Roxie and the family’s other dog, Lola. The walk quickly turned distressing as Roxie panicked upon encountering two large dogs and fled into the vast dunes. Despite Margaret’s desperate attempts to find her, the small dog disappeared from sight, triggering hours of worry and uncertainty for her owners.
Liz and her husband, John, wasted no time joining the search, journeying to the dunes multiple times in their efforts. Meanwhile, the post about Roxie’s disappearance spread rapidly across local social media groups, eliciting an outpouring of support. Residents shared advice and encouragement online, with several volunteers offering to help comb the beach and meadows as daylight slipped away.
In a bid to aid the search, Liz and John followed online tips and left food and some of Roxie’s favourite items with familiar scents at prominent spots. Hoping these might coax her out of hiding, they marked locations where she was last seen and responded to reported sightings. Among those who joined the hunt was Richard Mulcahey, a local resident who stayed late into the night, selflessly assisting the increasingly anxious owners. Liz would later refer to him as her “hero” for his relentless efforts amid fading hope.
As dusk turned to night, the community rallied further. Members of the Facebook group for lost dogs were quick to suggest calling in the expertise of Drone SAR For Lost Dogs UK (DSFLG UK), a volunteer network with thousands of drone pilots and searchers across the country. Dafydd Edwards, an architectural designer from Holyhead, stepped forward and deployed his drone, equipped with thermal cameras to scan the landscape for any signs of the missing dog.
The search through the darkness was anything but straightforward. The drone’s camera picked up numerous heat signatures—mainly rabbits and the occasional fox—making the task akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Flying in challenging wind conditions and running low on batteries, Dafydd was on the verge of ending the search when a promising heat spot stood out. Upon zooming in, he realised with cautious excitement that this was likely Roxie, alone amongst the rolling dunes.
Once her location was confirmed, Liz and John rushed to the spot guided by updates from the drone pilot. Uniquely, they employed an expert tip from social media: instead of shouting Roxie’s name—with the risk of startling her further—John gently called for Lola, their other dog. The ruse played to Roxie’s curiosity and successfully lured her, allowing the family to reunite with their pet under the stars.
The elation and relief were palpable. “I was overwhelmed,” Liz admitted. “After losing another dog only a couple of months ago, I simply couldn’t imagine going through that again. I’m still in disbelief at how many people came out to help—our community is incredible, and I’m so lucky to live here.”
As a gesture of gratitude, Liz made a donation to the DSFLG UK group, who play a vital role in rescuing hundreds of lost pets across Britain each year. She has also registered as a volunteer herself, determined to help others in similar distress. Adding a practical measure for future escapades, a local group has now gifted her a pet tracker for Roxie, providing an extra layer of reassurance for days spent exploring the scenic, rabbit-filled meadows around Aberffraw.
Incidents like this highlight both the advancements in search technology—such as drones fitted with thermal cameras—and the unwavering goodwill found throughout close-knit communities. The remarkable story of Roxie’s rescue stands as testament to the power of people coming together in times of need, reaffirming the communal spirit that so often defines rural Welsh life.