A message from Sarah Copeland:

It was 2 weeks ago tonight that I worked a very challenging missing dog case in Ladera Ranch. Remember TRUFFLES? The chocolate lab from 2 cities over for a run rate of 3 cities per day across a total of 4 cities that made us all question our sanity?

Yea, THAT Truffles.

Well, 2 weeks ago tonight, I stopped by to talk through my next-step strategy with Ribbie’s Mom Katy who had been assisting me in Ladera — night and day! I may have been over there to eat dinner too.

Have you seen her smile?

Ribbie followed me from room to room with all her smiles as I talked to Mom. Quite honestly, she seemed overly interested in the case. She even dropped a small Teddy Bear at my feet. Confirmed. She was listening in. She can be a bit of a busy-body but I get it. Missing dog. Your neighborhood. Big bones news.

Mom and the girls said, “I think Ribbie wants you to have it!” It turns out that Ribbie did. She gave me her Teddy Bear to help save Truffles. I didn’t know it then but after using the Teddy Bear to sit with a treat outside the trap and then “carry” the next available treat into the trap — it was clear. Ribbie helped save Truffles, THAT NIGHT on Day 14! Done.

~ URGENT SCENARIO ~ 10AM PST DEADLINE

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Yes. Code Red.

I personally spoke with the Hospital Administrator today regarding the cost to date and expected cost for care after tomorrow. Then I spoke to the managing Veterinarian to review Ribbie’s active treatment and clinical detail to assess from A-Z, with the intent to best support Ribbie, Katy, Nick, and the kids.

Ribbie is fighting. My recommendation to Katy tonight? We need to fight too.

The family needs to pay a % by 10am (Thursday April 24th) to show their commitment to what is currently an extraordinary cost. It hurts but it’s fair.

THE AMOUNT? It’s, $4,500.

I will share more about the next 48 hours, but Ribbie needs to stay put. Her abdomen is being drained of fluids every few hours and the IV antibiotics continue to reduce the bacterial count. We’ve got a feeding tube too. Ribbie can fight her way to Friday and Saturday BUT, she needs to stay where she is.

What happens if $4,500 is not paid by 10am PT on Thursday? I’m going to share those details with Katy & Nick shortly. It’s gut wrenching. It’s not going to happen.

Let’s do this first hike up the mountain together.

I owe Ribbie big time. If not for her, you might still be reading my annoying posts online outlining my community protocols on search & rescue. DO NOT CHASE. Do not follow. Do not post sightings. Blah, Blah, Blah. Can you imagine? You cannot.

Let’s go, RIBBIE BABY!

Sincerely,

Sarah

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Hi all, My Dear Friends Nick and Katy need some prayers and some Help. Their sweet Ribbie (their firstborn) is in critical condition and hanging on. No one prepares for this however Ribbie is a HUGE part of their family and they will do anything to fight for her and keep her alive. They would be so appreciative of any help anything you are able to give even if it is a single dollar would mean the world to them. We understand if you're not able to help financially please send some Happy thoughts and prayers their way! They have two daughters, Blakley, 9 and Penny ,2 and Ribbie is their best friend! So I am sure you can imagine how emotional this is for ALL of them.

Nick and Katy are such a big part of the Ladera Community and we are asking for your support in this time of need..

Please see story below from Katy Directly so you can understand what is going on with Ribbie.

April, 21st 2025 Nick and Katy took Ribbie to Antonio Animal Hospital in Rancho Santa Margarita after she had thrown up bile all over the floor and didn’t eat her breakfast. Ribbie had been acting weird and not herself for the last 4-5 days so they knew they needed to take her in immediately.

The Dr. discovered Ribbie initially had a fever, was dehydrated and so they wanted to do some X-rays and some bloodwork. The x-rays showed there was a ton of fluid on her abdomen and bacteria in her urine which stated she had a UTI as well as a serious infection. The Dr. was worried Ribbie was septic and she needed to be transferred to an animal hospital immediately as Antonio Animal Hospital was not able to do the extensive ultrasound that ribbie would need.

They immediately took Ribbie to the recommended animal hospital where they did an ultrasound right away and found there was a blockage on her abdomen and she would need “immediate life saving surgery” if she would have any chance of survival. Katy and Nick were shocked and everything happened so quickly! They had no choice but to say, “take her”. The doctors told Katy and Nick Ribbie was very very sick and she was filled with an infection due to being septic. Most cases have a 50/50 chance of survival if the dog is “healthy”. The surgeon told them Ribbie was not healthy and she was going into surgery very sick and having a very hard time breathing. The surgeon prepared them for the worst and told them she had less than a 30% chance to survive the surgery.

Surgery was about two hours and they found a cancerous intestine that perforated. Being the fighter ribbie is she survived the surgery!!!! The next hurdle was surviving the night and because she is a fighter she survived the night!!! Now… we wait and see if she can keep fighting and make it the next 24-48 hours. She is doing amazing and breathing better and resting comfortably. She is in the best hands and Katy and Nick got to go love on her and give her some attention today. They did take a biopsy however, we won’t know the results for atleast 3-5 days. The initial quote was 11K and that was through Wednesday. Ribbie is looking to still be in doggie “ICU” through Friday/ Saturday. So this quote will most likely double.