A Canberra family is pleading with Riverina residents to keep watch for their beloved Boston Terrier, Argo, who went missing while they were staying in Darlington Point.
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Argo, a six year-old black and white brindle Boston Terrier, disappeared from North Kerarbury Station near Darlington Point on October 2, leaving owners Ross and Narelle Davidson devastated and desperately searching for answers.
Mr Davidson said Argo had been missing for more than two weeks despite extensive search efforts across the district.
“Argo, a black and white brindle Boston Terrier, weighs about 8.5kg and is microchipped,” Mr Davidson said.
“He has a distinctive white stripe down the back of his left ear and often has his tongue hanging out.”
Describing the much-loved pet, Mr Davidson said Argo was far more than just a dog.
“Argo is our much-loved six-year-old Boston Terrier,” he said.
“My wife Narelle and I are based in Canberra, and Argo is very much part of our family, along with our other two Boston Terriers, Millie and Bandit.
“He's a beautiful little character - affectionate, friendly, sociable, playful and a little lazy.
“He's certainly not an adventurous outdoor dog. He's been a pampered family pet since he was a puppy, accustomed to the comforts of home and being around people.
“He's one of those dogs with a personality much bigger than his size.
“He's brought us enormous happiness over the years, and his absence has left a huge hole in our family and hearts.”
Mr Davidson said Argo is believed to have escaped from the cottage yard at North Kerarbury Station about 7.30am on October 2 and had only been out of sight for a matter of minutes.
About six hours later, Mr Davidson spotted him on a track a few hundred metres from the cottage.
“When I called out to him, he initially moved towards me, but then suddenly turned and ran off. That was the last time we saw him,” he said.
“We have had no confirmed sightings since.”
The family immediately launched a search of the property and extended their stay in the district by a further week in the hope of finding him.
Their efforts included extensive ground searches through tracks, bushland and creek areas, the use of spotlights at night, wildlife cameras and humane traps, as well as an aerial search conducted by a specialist thermal drone operator.
Missing dog posters were distributed throughout Darlington Point and appeals were shared widely across social media. Veterinary clinics, councils and animal shelters within a 200km radius were also contacted.
Despite those efforts, the family has received no confirmed reports of Argo since he disappeared.
Mr Davidson praised the support provided by the local community throughout the search.
“We have been extremely grateful for the kindness and assistance of people in the Darlington Point community and those who have helped us throughout the search,” he said.
The search has taken an emotional toll on the family, who eventually had to return home to Canberra on October 11.
“Leaving without Argo was absolutely soul-destroying,” Mr Davidson said.
“We had spent every day searching, hoping that the next bend in the track, the next camera check or the next phone call would bring some good news.
“Driving away from the property knowing he was still out there, somewhere, was one of the hardest things we've had to do.
“Argo isn't just a dog to us. He's a much-loved member of our family, and the house simply isn't the same without him.”
Mr Davidson said one possibility the family continues to consider is that Argo may have been picked up by someone who believed he was a stray.
“Argo is extremely friendly and comfortable around people, so it's entirely possible he may have approached someone,” he said.
The family fears someone may have seen or collected the dog without realising he is the subject of an ongoing search and is now broadening efforts beyond the immediate Darlington Point area.
They are particularly urging farmers, station workers, contractors, truck drivers, travellers and anyone who was near North Kerarbury Station or the Sturt Highway on October 2 to think back and report any possible sightings.
“We just hope we hear from someone soon.
“We understand that after this much time there are no guarantees. But until we know what happened to him, we want to keep trying.
“If someone has found Argo and is looking after him, we would be incredibly grateful to hear from them.
“There would be no judgement and no difficult questions. We just want our little boy home.”
A reward of $1000 is being offered for information leading to Argo’s safe return.
“Even the smallest piece of genuine information about where he may have been seen could help us find him,” Mr Davidson said.
“We would dearly love to bring Argo home to Canberra, where he belongs, with the family who loves and misses him so much.”
Anyone with information about Argo's whereabouts can contact Mr Davidson at radaust@hotmail.com.