This is a feel-good dog tale, so far at least.

It took at least five weeks, but the male Sharpei that has been running back and forth between the windward Oahu communities of Punaluu and Kaaawa, was finally secured this weekend. He’s safe but tired out. He is comfortable with and happy to see other dogs, not sure yet about meeting new people. It took a caring community, and a number of deeply involved neighbors, to catch this guy. He’s been given the name, Houdini, because of his escape skills.

I’ve pieced together the story from a series of posts over the past month by the Kaaawa Community Association’s Facebook group.

The earliest mention I found is a Facebook post on May 23.

Loose dog
Kam Hwy near Kahana

ATTENTION DRIVERS:
LOOSE MALE SHARPI/MIX TAN/ BRINDLE RUNNING ON AND OFF THE ROAD RIGHT BY THE BEND GOING KAHUKU WAY BY THE PIER
BEEN TRYING TO SECURE FOR 2HRS NO LUCK

Monday, June 3, he was spotted on along Kam Highway on the Punaluu side of Kahana, then on the 4th back at Swanzy Beach Park in Kaaawa.

In a comment, David from Punaluu said:

I live out in Punaluu and I’ve been seeing the dog for the last 2 weeks running up and down the highway I tried to catch him or her a few times but she runs away. I just hope she doesn’t get hit by a car.

Many people commented that they had tried to help. Here’s an example.

We’ve seen and tried to catch him a couple of times in the last week or so. He’s very people shy, runs away, and won’t let anyone get close. This afternoon he ran up Huamalani St. We tried to trap him in a yard, but he pushed out under the fence. Poor baby wouldn’t even come for fresh food. We left him be as it was obvious we weren’t catching him on the loose and didn’t want to chase him back towards traffic.

“Da buggah is quick and afraid,” another person said.

Then a post at 9:45 a.m. on June 6 reported the Sharpei was just seen running up the main entrance into the Makaua Village condominium.

Another post shortly before noon on June 6: “The shar pei is at Swanzy Beach Park right now.”

Someone commented: “Heard he’s smart and fast. Please be careful, [praying] you can secure him. Mahalo for caring.”

Another replied: “omg he is. I’ve been trying for 2 plus weeks to get him”

Then some levity:

If reincarnation is a real thing.. brah. Whose unko or aunty is this, reincarnated into this lil fast tail dog.. runnin all around making ppl chase it?! ???? This dog is smarter than everyone it seems.. and real good at not getting hit… dog just wants 2 holo..

In a comment on the first June 6 post, Carolynn from Kaaawa weighed in for the first time.

let me know if you want any to try setting out a crate with food, I’m nearby and have those supplies. It’s not a trap but might help us to get him to predictably go to one spot enough to be able to get him in a few days.

This was important, because, in the end, she made it her mission to organize the rescue, and was determined enough and persistent enough to eventually be successful.

Then Sunday, June 9th, an early morning post.

Sharpei sighting going north on Kekio
7:13 am Sunday

Carolyn responded, saying she had driven along Kekio, up Kam Highway to Makaua Village, then on to Kahana Bay, without seeing him. Sharpei was still on the run.

Same day, Ron replied:

I crouched way down, held out my hand, and gave my softest, sweetest “Hey there puppy” voice, and he shot past us like we were going to kill and eat it. Must be absolutely terrified of people.

Monday, June 10, 5:40 p.m., he was seen on the highway heading toward the 7 Eleven. “Looks like he’s limping now,” someone reported.

Then it was Kamehameha Day, June 11. The Sharpei had been tracked from Kahana to Kaaawa.

And then was spotted on Hauhele Road in Kaaawa.

The reports of Sharpei sightings kept rolling in, and he seemed to be seen most frequently in and around Kaaawa.

Carolyn posted an update on June 21 with encouraging news.

Hey, aloha neighbors, thought I’d share some updates on the sharpei stray dog.
**Four days in a row we’ve got him eating breakfast on Hauhele around 6am, building trust and consistency. He comes for 30-60 min and will eat from my hand, socialize with other dogs, and follow me walking or running for up to a half mile. ????
**He’s been scanned and doesn’t have a chip. No collar / tag. Intact; not neutered.
**We don’t know where he sleeps or stays overnight, if anyone knows please share.
**He’s too skittish to human touch, cars, cats, and fenced yards to have a collar / leash put on, and he easily escapes even fenced yards if he feels trapped.
**He’s not aggressive to people or dogs (or anything really). He’s friendly and curious of other dogs and will approach. He will usually stay 5-10 feet away from humans.
**His nails aren’t long; this makes us wonder if he is someone’s current pet or if he was recently abandoned.
**He has a daily routine from Kaaawa Elementary to Kaaawa Fire Station. You may see him elsewhere but that’s random / less likely.
******

Then, five days later, more good news.

Sharpei Pupdate: Wedn 6.26.24

10 days in a row he’s had breakfast around 6am with me. He’s letting me pet him for 30-60 seconds at a time. He’s showing up between 5:30-6am at the same spot, to get his food. We know his favorite treats and I’m walking with him after breakfast to track his routine.
Yesterday started crate training. Today was able to get him to walk in and put all 4 paws inside the crate for 3-5 seconds. Not able to shut the door yet, he’s too skittish, but that’s what we’re working toward. Estimating in 1-3 days will be able to get there.
Have a goal to get him safely secured before July 3rd, so he doesn’t spook during fireworks.
I am working on establishing his previous ownership, and there are multiple families interested in fostering or adopting this guy. He will need a medical assessment, to be neutered, and the foster / adoption process will be handled by a local rescue. He’s gonna have a lot of aunties and uncles, that’s for sure.
Please don’t feed him. He’s friendly and won’t harm you, your dogs, or your kids.

We’re super close guys! Thanks to everyone who has been eyes on the ground and worked together on this.

And then Saturday, June 29, it Carolyn reported the news everyone had been hoping for.

“We did it!

Here’s how it happened.

The last few days he has been making doggie friends and spending 2-3 hours at a time in our neighborhood; eating breakfast but also socializing with neighbors and other dogs. Under pressure to secure him before the 4th and fireworks begin, I was both crate training him as well as getting him comfortable with my covered porch area. Our chat group was monitoring his whereabouts as well as walkers and dog walkers in the area who would update me live as they passed by.

For 13 days in a row he came for breakfast and as things worked or didn’t work to earn his trust, a plan was adjusted. He had put all four paws inside a crate but wasn’t comfortable getting the door shut and would run out. He was ok being petted but not comfortable with a collar. He would approach the porch but only put two paws in….

This morning he ate breakfast then began playing with two dogs, mine and a neighbors. The two dogs went inside a fenced yard for playtime, and we allowed Houdini some space to see if he would follow. He did. The gate was quickly closed but we expected him to try escaping, which he did try. He had previously escaped the same yard and went straight to that exit; but a board had been placed to block the opening and he was momentarily stumped. That quick moment was seized to get a collar over his head and a leash attached, and he did not fight it. We have since spent an incredible 15.5 hours helping him decompress, going to the vet, going inside a crate, playing with dog friends again, walking on a leash, and getting a warm medicated bath. He is doing great and especially catching up on his sleep, and I couldn’t be happier! After 18 days since my sharpei – catching organizing post on June 11, and 2-3 hours per day since of daily sharpei tracking, I’m exhausted, sunburned, and worn out, too!

THANK you to everyone who has pitched in to get this boy safely off the streets. Truly a community effort.

Please consider contributing to Houdini’s medical costs and initial care expenses. A GoFundMe account has been created and is accepting donations. Every little bit will help.