Who do you turn to if you ever lose your dog in the rough mountains of Santa Cruz, California? Plato the dog, of course!
Appreciated by his neighborhood and Nextdoor social media group, Plato the 10-year-old Shiba Inu mix is renowned for his compassionate nature and remarkable tracking abilities.
In fact, Plato’s incredible tracking abilities has helped successfully track down more than 60 missing dogs in the San Lorenzo Valley region of California.
“Plato has a natural flair for tracking, and is always determined to get the job done,” Plato’s owner Micahel Fradin said.
Plato the Shiba Inu mix is renowned in the community for his remarkable tracking abilities. Credit: Michael M Fradin.
How to make sure that your missing dog returns to you: Make sure to get ID tags for your dog!
Got a naughty boy? Why Won’t My Dog Listen To Me?
Fradin adopted Plato around 10 years ago from a nearby resident who was unable to care for him any longer. When Plato arrived at his new home, he was ‘overfed’ according to Fradin but also ‘extremely calm’.
“Plato has always been a very caring and affectionate pup,” Fradin said.
Plato’s Special Skill
As Fradin started to learn more about Plato, it became apparent that the pup had a natural talent for tracking.
“We discovered that Plato had an unbreakable bond with my girlfriend at the time, Steph,” Fradin said. “He would follow wherever she went.”
“We noticed this behavior and started playing hide-and-seek with him. It didn’t take long for us to realize that Plato had an innate ability to track our scent trails.”
Following several months of playing hide-and-seek with Plato, Fradin stumbled upon a Nextdoor post regarding a nearby couple who had misplaced their Yorkie. This gave Plato the opportunity to put his tracking abilities to the test in the real world.
Fradin and Plato volunteered to help out the couple and they managed to track the missing Yorkie to a spot next to a stream where the pet had been washed down.
Plato made it his life’s mission to always track down a missing pet. Credit: Michael M Fradin.
“I would be dead if it wasn’t for him”: Dog Saves Owner with Medicine Fetching Skills
Are you bored? Here are 7 Unique and Fun Activities To Do With Your Dog
“Plato would always receive a treat for playing hide-and-seek, and that particular day was no different,” Fradin remembers.
After this, Fradin began conducting different tests on Plato’s ability on their hikes, as well as hikes with his friends’ dogs.
According to Fradin, Plato initially struggled with the tests, but he persevered through it.
“Plato’s favorite reward is achieving a successful track.”
“When he finds a lost dog, Plato would always hold his head high in the air almost as if he just won a lifetime supply of treats.” Ever since Plato tracked down that first missing Yorkie, he has managed to locate another 61 missing pets within his neighbourhood.
Helping Out The Neighbourhood
As a result, the locals have learned to reach out to Fradin and Plato whenever their pets go missing.
“The community now knows to contact us directly through calls or messages whenever a pet goes missing in the area,” Fradin said. “Additionally, people also reach out to us on Nextdoor, which not only helps us connect with our community but also serves as a platform for helping one another.”
Despite Plato’s successes, his record is not flawless. There have been times where Plato fails to track down a missing pet or the trail leads to a deceased animal.
Plato has managed to track down over 60 missing pets already. Credit: Michael M Fradin.
Dress them up! Crazy Dog Outfits That Your Fur Baby Will Love!
Why not take a holiday? Fur-Tastic USA Destinations For A Holiday With Your Dog
“When this does happen, I can confidently say that Plato becomes depressed and disconnected,” Fradin said.
“If he fails to locate the missing animal, he often retreats and isolates himself. I think he made it his life’s mission to find every single missing pup.”
Fradin has made it a point to not accept any form of payment for their tracks due to the emotions surrounding a missing pet.
“I don’t feel right charging a grieving pet owner $500 with no guarantee that we would find them,” Fradin said.
Plato Needed Help
It was Plato’s unwavering devotion to reuniting families with their lost pets that earned him countless fans in his community.
So when the tables turned and it was Plato who needed help, the community did not hesitate to come together to help Plato.
After the San Lorenzo Valley community learned of Plato’s diagnosis with congestive heart failure, they came together to raise the funds needed for his treatment.
“San Lorenzo Valley is a very close community. The people are all very supportive of each other,” Fradin said.
With renewed health and energy, Plato is looking ahead to the future. He is now dedicated to mentoring other rescue canines to develop their tracking skills, so they too can learn and contribute to their community.
