Search for Geoff and Paddy reveals a community’s ‘astounding’ heart

When Sandra's husband Geoff and their golden retriever Paddy set off on their daily walk from home to nearby Mount Martha Primary School on an ordinary Sunday last month, she couldn't have dreamt it would end in a search and rescue mission.

Geoff, 86, stays close to home but his daily walk with Paddy was something Sandra felt he was still up to doing solo. "They left home at 4.30pm, and even though Paddy was off the lead, they normally never leave each other's sides,” Sandra said. “Somehow they became separated, both going in search of the other.”

Instead of going home to tell Sandra, Geoff stayed out searching for his trusty four-legged friend. "Geoff doesn't carry a mobile phone, so when it was nearly dark I went for a walk and drive to look for them. I went the way they always go, but they were nowhere to be seen. At 6pm I called the police.”

Sandra then went to her neighbours, who got a search party in action through a post on Mount Martha Community Grapevine's Facebook page. There were so many people and their dogs out in the dark searching it was unbelievable. The temperature dropped to 3C, and the police and community search continued, including the Air Wing.

At 10pm, Sandra's panic-stricken state came partially to an end when Geoff was found, exhausted but safe and well, by a woman and her two teenage sons who had been out searching for more than two hours. Geoff had been focused on finding Paddy and was unaware the neighbourhood was out looking for them.

The social media updates continued. "Once everyone heard Geoff was found but Paddy was still missing, the response was astounding,” Sandra said. “For the next three days everyone was out again day and night with their dogs looking for Paddy – friends, neighbours, and people we had never met before. One young mum who saw the post on Facebook came over from Hastings to help.”

Paddy was found by staff at The Briars three days after going missing. "We got the call and jumped in the car to get there quickly. We found our precious boy looking so good. He was clean, not distressed, and very happy to see us. Lots of tears were shed. He had a good feed and a few quiet days but was completely unaware of the fuss. If only Paddy could tell us where he had been."

Paddy and Geoff's return was celebrated with a gathering at Mount Martha estuary, providing a chance for the community to come together and for Sandra to say thank you in person. Sandra is a social media convert now after seeing its power for good. "I don't think there’s anyone in Mount Martha we haven't connected with," she laughed.