'The happiest feeling' - Dog missing on South Downs for SIX days reunited with owners
A dog that went missing on the South Downs for six days was reunited with its owners following an extraordinary volunteer-led rescue mission.
Pauline and Mal Peagam-Phillips were devastated when their six-year-old North Macedonian rescue called Keeva ran away during a walk on Butts Brow and didn’t come back.
But an ‘amazing’ community effort that included a thermal imaging drone helped track down and return the beloved pet home.
On Friday, July 10, Mr Peagam-Phillips was walking Keeva on the Downs when she suddenly bolted out of sight, leaving her owners scrambling to retrieve her.
They scoured the area but made the heartbreaking decision to head back without her when darkness made the search impossible.
After sharing notices online and in-person, the couple were put in touch with Darren Greenfield - known as ‘that dog man of Wilmington’.
Mr Greenfield has specialised in dog training for more than 30 years and enlisted the help of his friend Helen Stammers - an ex-military professional who now works for Apex Woodland and Wildlife Services.
Ms Stammers deployed a thermal imaging drone to try to locate Keeva, but the high temperatures made their task even trickier.
The dog’s owners even had to endure scam phone calls from people demanding money in exchange for the pet’s safe return.
After six distressing days with no news, the couple received a call telling them that Keeva had been spotted near Cherry Garden Road – more than two miles from Butts Brow – and their dog-sitter Skyler James quickly rushed to retrieve her.
Mrs Peagam-Phillips said: “When I got the phone call, I just couldn't speak. My husband just took the phone from me and found out everything.
“And then when we met her, she just went mad, trying to jump up. She was all over the place - it was lovely.”
Keeva’s harness, which included a tracker, was missing when she was discovered.
Her rescue after almost a week was somewhat miraculous, not only given the intense heat but because of a fire in the open on the Downs between Butts Brow and Eastbourne Downs Golf Club on Saturday, July 11.
Mr Greenfield said: “It was just the happiest feeling to be sat back here in the evening going, ‘that was just fantastic.’
“And that photo (of Mrs Peagam-Phillips and Keeva) is going to stay with me for a long time. The look on her face meant everything to me. It was just perfect.”
Keeva is the English word for Caoimhe - an Irish name that translates as ‘gentle’, ‘beautiful’ and ‘precious’.
She is now recovering at home, but Mr and Mrs Peagam-Phillips admitted that the ordeal has clearly shaken her.
Mr Greenfield has already agreed to help teach the couple to train Keeva in recall to get her back out enjoying walks - all free of charge.
He said: “I have a passion for dogs, and I like helping people. I like to look at myself as a lighthouse.
“I stand firm, I shine a light. If anyone needs a light, they know where to find me. That's all it's about.”
You can find out more about Mr Greenfield’s work here.