By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

A FEMALE dog named Cookie has been missing for three days now.
Own by businesswoman and Beautify CNMI! volunteer Ayako Matsumoto, Cookie disappeared on April 6. She was last seen in Gualo Rai near the Pacific Eagle building at 1 a.m.
There is no information on Cookie’s breed and age, according to Katie Busenkell, a board member of Pet Assistance and Welfare Services.
She said Matsumoto has sought PAWS’ assistance.
Busenkell said Cookie was wearing a red collar and anyone who finds her can call 256-0243 or e-mail busenkell@gmail.com.
Recently, PAWS sought assistance from the public regarding a stray dog who was found by a couple.
The dog, which was found near a quarry, was fed by the couple and brought to the CNMI’s lone veterinarian, Land and Resources Secretary Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz, for treatment.
However the dog was not admitted to the kennel facility because he had a disease called mange.
But Dela Cruz gave the dog an injection to kill the animal’s internal and external parasites.
Busenkell said the dog is now on the road to recovery but he needs a safe and secluded place to stay until he receives his next shot.
She said the dog should be secluded because mange is contagious.
The couple who found the dog cannot take him back to their apartment complex so PAWS is looking for someone who has a secluded, fenced off, shaded area on their property where the dog can stay.
Busenkell said the couple is willing to pay up to $150 a month to anyone willing to take in the dog while he undergoes medical treatment.
The couple will be visiting the dog daily to feed and nurse him and all they want is a place for him for his medical care and boarding.
Busenkell said normally they would recommend euthanization, but they understand and admire the couple’s determination to save the dog.
In less than a week, the dog has already shown great improvement, according to Busenkell who quoted the couple as saying: “Everyone else in this dog’s life let him down.   We just can’t let him down.   We have to help him.”
Busenkell said anyone willing to help the couple can call 256-0243 or e-mail busenkell@gmail.com.