For Teddy and Sugar Bear, two rescue dogs placed with Diana Meyers by Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida, life was good. On Memorial Day weekend, the
two pups enjoyed a boat ride with Mom and were just settling in for a bite eat at Ophelia’s Pasta House in Nokomis went something went terribly wrong. A loud
noise, perhaps a car backfiring or a motorcycle sounded and spooked SugarBear.
Before Diana could get out of her seat – the big yellow dog had pushed the gate open and was bounding away. Although Diana gave chase in an instant her beloved SugarBear was out of sight.
Diana and her husband, Joe Houle have been longtime supporters of Florida Lab Rescue and have provided a loving home for more than eight Labs in their Sarasota Homin the Greenfield Homeowners Association of Sarasota. Sugar Bear was their latest adoption and has been with them for just 3 months.
“Before she came to us, she spent a lot of time outdoors – and we know she’s used to that” Joe told us. “We are not sure what caused her to take off, it was totally unlike her normal behavior.”
Since her disappearance Joe, Diana and their friends have been tirelessly searching the Osprey, Nokomis and Venice area for the dog. Teddy, Sugar Bear’s “brother” has joined them several times in the effort. “We been in every business posting flyers and have driven through all of the
communities in the surrounding area, talking to people, calling and hunting for our little girl” Diana said.
Through Facebook and FindToto.com the Sarasota dog-loving community has been on alert for Sugar Bear. Joe and Diana received a call from a party who confessed that they may have hit Sugar Bear on the road – they don’t believe the injury was life-threatening as she ran off into the woods. A few other sightings later in the area cause the couple to believe that this was a minor accident.
The search is now expanding to cover all of Sarasota County. Joe and Diana are asking for concerned parties to print this flyer 
and post it in their workplaces or neighborhoods. Joe explained, “The more eyes we have looking for her, the greater the likelihood that some one may spot her or recognize her as a “new” dog in a neighbor’s yard. The community support for SugarBear has truly been overwhelming. Complete strangers, as well as friends have joined us in the search. Calls and email continue to come in and we are so grateful for the outreach and encourgement. We just know that we are going to find her and bring her home.”
A Facebook page: Bring Sugar Bear Home has been established to keep the momentum of the search in full swing. If you have any information about this lost yellow Labrador, please contact Diana Meyer at 941-921-6218.