The owner of a dog lost in the Eastern Sierra needs your help:
Bentley is my service dog. We came out here to Mammoth and left our dog with a dog walker. We got a phone call around 9AM from the dog walker letting me know he had jumped out of his truck around Antelope Valley Rd. near Inyo National Forest. He took him up to hike up a trail, and claims my dog jumped out. He is a very friendly dog. He just might be a little spooked since he has been lost since this morning Saturday, March 29th. Bentley is a white pitbull mix with brown spots and has his tags on him. A California shaped tag (his assistance dog license) and a Santa Barbara County tag. If anyone has any information or has found my dog, please contact Stephanie at (805) 651-0516. $1000 reward. Owner desperately needs her dog. Thank you
Cynthia Gama
Thank you!
BK
On behalf of Cynthia, myself, and my entire family we would like to thank all those involved, and the town of Mammoth Lakes! You have all restored my faith in humanity and we truly appreciate every single effort. Those who offered prayers, thoughts, and helped almost every single day since… Read more »
Thank you Stephanie. Would you also mind giving us Cynthia’s last name? The Animal Shelter provided us with a very heart-warming photo of the two of you with Bentley. We would like to post it with your names. Thanks, Benett
Hi Stephanie. I meant to ask you for your phone number before you left. Would you mind giving it to me? Also, just out of curiosity, how were Bentley’s paws when you got him back? In all the excitement, I completely forgot the check. After all, he did a lot… Read more »
Great work Steve and Officers Hornbeck and Moscowitz! What a happy ending for Stephanie, Cynthia and Bentley:)
So exciting! Congratulations! My thoughts have been so consumed with this rescue. I knew that with all the efforts coming from this community that he would be okay! SO HAPPY!
Bentley is found!!!!!
Bentley will be heading back home tomorrow! Finally, a lengthy,but happy ending! Thank you to everyone who drove endless roads, hiked unknown trails, ran miles looking for him, hung meat in trees, set out clothing and food, tracked paw prints and drag marks, sent numerous texts, emails and phone calls,… Read more »
I spoke w/ my boss who uses a 4 quad mini helicopter w/ HD video to take aerial shots of real estate, so he will be tweaking it a bit and adding some sort of voice recording of me calling Bentley’s name and the phrases he’s most familiar with. I’m… Read more »
Re GPS, there’s a jillion ways to get the coordinates (also called waypoints): Search the appstore for apps with GPS or waypoint in the name, install one, or Ask any of your friends who are good with tech devices, or Use your phone’s browser and navigate to http://maps.google.com/, or Use… Read more »
Gazoo: Since we have iPhones and not androids we have been trying to “drop a pin” to get exact coordinates to the locations, but those have been unsuccessful. Once the other user opens the dropped pin it only shows the general location of downtown Mammoth Lake. This weekend while we… Read more »
Stephanie,
I’m so happy he was seen this morning and glad that he made it to the Owens River. There wasn’t much water in the Antelope Springs/Smokey Bear Flats area for him to drink.
Sending prayers and positive thoughts to all of you. Please keep us posted.
Kate wrote some important info. The owners will want to imagine a scenario where they spot Bentley but he does not come. Imagine in their mind what steps to try at that point, and share any recommendations so other searchers know. What “tools” would be nice to have handy, etc.… Read more »
Deena Kastor said she saw him near the power lines around Antelope Springs Rd on Friday. Dog walker believes he might be 1/2 mile to a mile out north. We decided to camp out where the dog walker first said he jumped out because there were multiple rds that led… Read more »
Hey ladies (Stephanie and Cynthia) I have gone out searching a few times looking for Bently. I’ve been really busy at work and haven’t had as much time as I would of liked. Pam showed me the spot of his initial loss two days after the incident. I’ve been search… Read more »
Stephanie and Cynthia, I spoke with you briefly Saturday while I was walking down the pole-line road. Could you tell me his last known location (was it where you set up the tent?) and do you know which way he was traveling? (continuing up the pole-line road OR Antelope Valley… Read more »
BK- Yes, I Sent Pam a package of some worn shirts and his favorite toys via FedEx on Wed. When we got the call that someone had spotted Bentley we loaded up the cr with the blanket he slept on, some more of his toys, and more articles of our… Read more »
After camping out in the mountains two days in a row, our attempts have been unsuccessful. The dog walker tied a roast to some rope and let it drag behind his suburban up the road he took Bentley on last Saturday. He ended up tying the roast to a tree… Read more »
Stephanie, I have been asked if you were calling Bentley’s name or put out a piece of your clothing?
BK
Benett, Neither Stephanie nor myself have seen Bentley since the dog walker took him on 03/29. The first few days we tried calling him name, but after talking to a few experts, we were advised not to do so, since he may not recognize our voice with stress or despair… Read more »
If my dog were missing, I would definitely be calling his name. Does Bentley respond to your voice in a positive manner under normal circumstances? Just try calling him in a happy voice trying not to show your stress. Its good you are leaving scented clothing in the area. Best… Read more »
Spent 2 hours Saturday walking the pole-line road, about 1 hour this morning walking the roads at Smokey Bear Flats and 2 hours this afternoon driving pole-line and Antelope Springs Road. Will continue to keep checking the area until Bentley is found.
Any updates? We just spent 3 hours driving around the back roads and followed the power lines up to the Giothermal plant, no luck. My heart goes out to all involved…hope Bently is found soon.
Keep your spirits up. There’s birds mice deer lizards but the fact it’s a popular dog play area is good news, hopefully keeping Bentley nearby.
Maybe use a camp stove and boil some liver. It smells very strong and Bentley is bound to be very hungry by now. Just a thought.
We have run into some problems. It sounds like from what a few locals have told us, that Bentley has been found, but he’s still missing. We have also heard that my partner and I have spotted Bentley and he ran from us, but that is also not true. The… Read more »
UPDATE: So from what the tracks tells us, he’s circling the same two areas, Smokey Bear Flats & Antelope Springs Rd. Today he was spotted by the power lines heading up Antelope Springs Rd. We have set up a base camp with a tent and his favorite blanket inside. Since… Read more »
Stephanie, Cynthia, and all the community: you are heroes and I think today or tomorrow Bentley will come to you. Easier said than done but you might have a bunch of rags that you can throw down when the chihuahuas urinate. Place them on the dirt roadside, maybe forming a… Read more »
Thank you Pedro and Gazoo for your valuable advice. We left a shirt out the first day he was lost but it snowed a lot that night and when we came back, it was burried under the snow with no tracks around :/ We put a couple more shirts out… Read more »
Gosh,I hope you all find this dog !!!!!
I wish I knew who you are. You have some common sense.
Why no specific locations last seen being posted here though? With http://maps.google.com you can right click any spot on a dirt road then choose What’s Here? and it will display the GPS coordinates. Just trying to help. Also, if the dog is easily spooked you should be traveling those dirt… Read more »
Good point. Should definitely have a base camp with some of his friends there at all times. He can hear and smell you a lot better than you him. Nothing better than coming home to a warm meal and bed, and people you love, when you have been lost.
Oh, and always keep the love, warmth, and conviction of his coming home in your voice. Your fear and frustration may confuse him even if he knows you. Maybe sing a song: “When Bentley comes home we’re going to have a party! We’re going to rub Bentley’s belly and feed… Read more »
UPDATE: We spent all morning with Deena who drove us around the spots where she spotted Bentley yesterday. We drove around Smokey Bear Flats. It looks like he’s traveling around the whole area (Smokey Loop & Lookout Loop) At first we could distinguish his paw prints (which also displayed a… Read more »
Stephanie, you might try leaving his favorite blanket or an article of clothing with your scent near where he was last seen. I had to leave a lost dog in the woods once and came back to find him waiting on top of my shirt. Maybe someone has a local… Read more »
As I have mentioned many times before, I was not trying to start a debate.
Stephanie, I’d like to end the contention on this issue and focus on finding Bentley.
Thanks, Benett
Stephanie, Do you have an update? ….Did Deena take you out to said hills above .smokey .bear to look for him?? ? I thought for sure (hoping) you would see him today, as Deena just saw him yesterday. Is anyone helping you look now? It sounds like he was scared… Read more »
Stephanie, you don’t need to go into the circumstances of the dog’s escape. Everybody reading knows it was one person who took the dog to where it escaped, so clearly no other person could be responsible. Done. What you do need to do is post your flyer to the web,… Read more »
So not true, Stephanie.
Stephanie – I’ve met you a couple times thru a mutual friend, Marika (we had brunch together on her birthday) and when I was over at her house a few days ago she informed me of your situation and firstly what I want to say is I AM SO SO… Read more »
I am offering up prayers for all involved, but especially for Bentley. God protect and guide him home.
After Lyn called me yesterday and got my hopes up saying her good friend Dina Caster saw him 3 separate times I left Santa Barbara as soon as I could to try to get in contact with Dina and get the exact location where Bentley was seen. Lyn (dog walkers… Read more »
Why don’t we get away from the negativity in this thread. Nipping at one another’s heels will not lead to finding Bentley.
BK
I am NOT furious, just frustated, Stephanie. Deena did spot Bentley and I called you as soon as I found that out. I told you where Bentley was seen– Smokey Bear Flats, but it is a large area and Deena was in the area above the flats. Only she can… Read more »
Stephanie, I called Lyn to get more details. She is obviously very upset and wants very much to find Bentley. They (she and Buck) have been searching day and night and said they are still willing to help you find him. Hopefully, Dina’s new directions will help bring him home… Read more »
UPDATE: Lyn from Tail Waggers called me today and told me Bentley has been spotted! She said her good friend Dina, who is a runner, saw Bentley out 3 different times in the area she was running. Lyn told me she was going to get a hold of her friend… Read more »
Good luck. With what you said in your previous post, I can only wish you well in your search. Probably not smart to call in a bunch of other people to go up there and chase Bentley. He runs from any kind of contact and he is fast and agile.… Read more »
I am so glad he has been spotted! When you get the details, let us know exactly where to look! I went out with my dogs to look for a few hours yesterday but wasn’t confident we were in the right area. We were hiking all calling for him just… Read more »
camping at the tubs? that would be a definite etiquette break. Tubs are for soaking, not for camping. I hope you educated anyone you found camping at the tubs.
I was more worried about the dog, and glad they were there to keep an eye out for him. Otherwise, you are right, I should have!
Has anyone even seen the dog since it ran off? With the weather we have had I worry a great deal about him. Poor kid.
This makes me so upset!! Sounds like these ‘professional’ dog handlers should learn how to better handle dogs, especially new and unfamiliar dogs to the area. There are red flags waving here! Why do they insist on walking dogs anywhere close the gun range??? And, btw, a leash only works… Read more »
Call me.. ….I will be happy to give you information that is not just conjecture. These dogs were not anywhere near a shooting range. Another result of misinformation. By her own admission, Stephanie states that she was not even paying attention when she was riding with the dog walker and… Read more »
Thank you Concerned. — Pam & Lyn: You only know what Buck has told you and you have not bothered to give me a call and have me explain what happened, because we both know there are two sides to everything.So at this point, not even Pam nor Lyn have… Read more »
You sound stupid. Who handles the dog more the owner or the dog walker. Who does the training of a dog. If it was a service dog that is supposed to receive thing for its owner because of physical disability how does it not know the word come. I’m happy… Read more »
This is heartbreaking to me. I know how much I love my “kids” and I know that from time to time I have to trust a sitter or my fiancée to take care of them. My newest “kid” was a stray I picked up off the mean streets of Lancaster… Read more »
Took a quick look around again tonight before dark around gun range and geothermal. No luck. Are flyers being put up? I can help w that if needed.
Ty Bee – I have the file for the flyer if you want me to e-mail it to you? e-mail me at [email protected] and I will send over the file ASAP.
Is there a thread limit? I posted earlier to thank a helping resident this morning, but it’s not showing up.
No, there is not a thread limit. I was otherwise engaged in work and not able to post.
BK
some more specifics on where he was last seen would help. Antelope Springs Road is in Little antelope Valley. I think of it as being near the geothermal plant and you can take it over to Owens River Road area. We certainly would have a better chance of finding him… Read more »
Sorry I couldn’t get back to you sooner Sugar, I was ill all day today. When I spoke w/ the dog walker, he told me he was at Little San Antonio St or Rd (I can’t remember). We tried to google it but couldn’t find the street. We were left… Read more »
We’ll keep looking Stephanie. Keep the faith! The last dog that was lost in the area was found after 3 weeks, skinny, but safe.
I really cannot thank you all enough, everyone who has been looking for Bentley and getting the word out. You have no idea how much this means to me, and I greatly appreciate all the efforts. Thank you, thank you!!
Lookd for three hours today and no luck. Some friends are going to look tomorrow.
Our dog was also lost in the area-by a different dog sitter. I hope Bentley is found soon.
Was your dog found?? I hope so! If so, how long was it out there?
So sorry for he loss of such an important friend/family member 🙁 I sure do hope he returns/is returned to you soon. Has there been any sightings?! Anything? Ive informed some of my family in the area of the situation and they agreed to keep an eye out for bentley.… Read more »
Thank you Jaime. As far as I know I believe the dog walker was the last to see him. I haven’t heard of any sightings or news yet.
http://instagram.com/p/b9-WhHPxTy/ Here is a link of another picture I took of Bentley when he received his county certified Assistance Animal tag. In case anyone happens to just find his collar, or if anyone finds a Santa Barbara license tag, please call Santa Barbara Animal Control to report at 805-681-5285. Unfortunately… Read more »
A job for Tara?
Tara finds illegal drugs, not other dogs.
Chill out. I know that. It was an attempt at some levity. How cute would it be for a dog like Tara who is a trained service dog if you think about it, helping to find another service dog who has been lost. . Now sit still while I swat… Read more »
Hi! Has Bentley been found? If not I can go look today. Is this the antelope valley road across 395 were the chalk mine is?
Yes, Bee around that area. Sadly, Bentley has not been found yet.
Do you mean Antelope SPRINGS Rd….? And where did the dog jump out? That road goes for miles …..
C J, the day Bentley was lost, my family and I came out to help Stephanie look for him. We came across the dog walker twice to ask him the exact spot where Bentley jumped out, however, he was not giving a clear answer. All I really got out of… Read more »
Sounds like a horrible choice of dog sitters, beautiful dog hope he is found.
How does someone give Andrews comment a thumbs down?
I truly believe it was not the dog walker’s fault. Things happen sometimes, and it isn’t anyone’s fault. Dogs act unpredictably and only hindsight can remedy that.
Pam- Dogs do act unpredictably so someone entrusted to care for the dog should be prepared accordingly by having the dog leashed before the door is open. There is nobody else to blame except the “dog walker”, so that person needs to accept full responsibility if they have not already… Read more »
Thank you so much Terry! I really didn’t want to say anything to spark a debate because truly the only thing I care about every waking moment is getting my boy back, but you are absolutely right. The fact that the dog-walker told me “I don’t really feel that responsible,… Read more »
Bentley was leashed, and may still be dragging one.
The dog was leashed before the door was opened. I wish people would not be so quick to judge without knowing the facts. Blame who you wish if that makes you feel better, but better to concentrate your thoughts on the well-being of Bentley.
“Lyn”- Of course the thoughts are focused on Bentley’s safe return but I’m tired of people like the “dog walker” not taking responsibility and doing what Stephanie describes as shrugging it off. You and Pam are clearly connected in someway to the person who had been responsible for Bentley’s care… Read more »
So are your opinions, Terry. You do not know the situation; you are forming opinions based on emotions. The dog walker is hardly “Shrugging it off off”. To state this is to be ignorant. You have no idea of the entire scenario. And yes, I am connected to the dog… Read more »
I think you should think and get facts before being so quick to judge.
Terry, the only way I am connected to the dog walker is with trying to find Bentley. I’m tired of all the negative dialog at this point.
Terry, you clearly don’t know the facts. We really could use some help looking for this dog, if you have the time.
I have been watching out for Bentley in the area he went missing since I heard about this on Saturday. I take my dogs to this same area three times a day. I sincerely hope Bentley is found and I will continue to watch out for him. So sad.
Thank you Sierra Wave for posting this!