WORTHINGTON — A Westfield woman is desperately seeking information on the whereabouts of her two dogs that recently went missing in Worthington.
Dawn Jewer Spiegler said that the two dogs disappeared on Sunday, Dec. 30 around noon, after jumping off a deck and running into the woods off of Ridge Road.
Both are female miniature Australian Shepherds weighing about 35 pounds.
One, named Ava, has a tri-colored coat, and the other, called Reveille, is a red tri-color.
“The two of them together are very attached,” Spiegler said. “They are also very shy and scared and they are hiders.”
Spiegler said she has posted about the lost dogs on Facebook and that her post has been shared over 500 times.
She says she believes the dogs are probably still in the area as they are more prone to seek out a hiding spot than to wander.
“The thing that people need to know is that you won’t see them out playing in the yard because they are more likely to be under porch or deck, or in an old barn not moving,” she said
Spiegler is asking residents to check around their properties in areas that they know might be good hiding places.
“The woods are vast in Worthington and people know their own properties and places where they might search,” she said.
The pair is unlikely to respond if they are called, and if backed into a corner may cower, though Spiegler says they are not known to be biters.
“My hope is that when somebody finds them, they will keep an eye on them and call me and I will come and get them,” Spiegler said.
According to Spiegler, the dogs originally belonged to her brother who breeds Australian Shepherds.
They are 6 and 3 years old and were both “mommas being retired.”
Spiegler said that she cared for the dogs prior to them being rehomed in Worthington.
“That match didn’t work out and I was on my way to pick them up when this happened,” she said.
Describing them as “her babies” Spiegler said that when found, the dogs will remain with her.
Anyone who has seen the dogs is asked to call or text Spiegler at: 413-231-3066 or to email her at: dmspiegler88@aol.com
CHESTERFIELD — The Chesterfield Council on Aging will host the Annual Hilltown Food Pantry Benefit with an International Buffet starting at noon on Sunday, Jan. 13.
Dubbing the event a multigenerational, international potluck and musical extravaganza, this shindig will include the Hampshire Regional High School choir, the New Hingham Elementary Regional School choir as well as James Kitchen and the Appliances.
The whole family is invited to share in the food and the fun at the New Hingham Elementary School, 30 Smith Road, in Chesterfield
Attendees are asked to bring their favorite international dish to share, and food from any region is encouraged. Organizers request that all food dishes be labeled with ingredients.
All honoraria and donations received will go to the food pantry.
The Council on Aging is funded in part for this event by a multigenerational grant awarded by Highland Valley Elder Services to the Chesterfield COA.
The Hilltown Food Pantry is part of the Northampton Survival Center.
PLAINFIELD — The Baker-Polito administration recently awarded $303,521 to municipalities and organizations across the state for projects to improve habitat for native Massachusetts wildlife.
The Franklin Land Trust is one of the 12 organizations and municipalities to receive funding. The trust was awarded $32,228 to increase young forest cover on the 107-acre Guyette Farm in Plainfield.
The land trust manages the farm, which has active agriculture and wildlife habitat.
The grants are provided through the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Habitat Management Grant Program, and will fund 12 wildlife habitat improvement projects totaling 307 acres.
“Making smart investments in projects to restore and manage protected lands across the Commonwealth furthers our Administration’s dedication to land conservation,” saidBaker. “With this funding, municipalities and local organizations will be able to significantly improve habitat for rare and endangered species, and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities.”
Ideas for this column on life in the hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.