TILTON — Chelsea the sheltie livens up the household of Richard and Thelma Taflinger.

The dog, who just turned 4 years old, likes to roughhouse with the cat, bark when anyone leaves the house and curl up at the foot of the bed (when Thelma’s not looking).

So, when the sable Shetland sheepdog disappeared last year — spooked by fireworks — the family felt her absence keenly.

During those 10 days, Richard searched every day, put up posters, lost sleep and missed meals.

“It’s like losing a child,” he said, referring to his emotional state.

The incident made him realize how precious she is, and how beneficial animals are, in general.

“It’s a joy to be with them,” he said. “I believe they add years to your life.”

Richard’s parents had a collie while he was growing up, and he’s had a variety of breeds through the years. Then, a friend who had shelties said how smart and protective they were.

The Taflingers decided they wanted a sheltie, and found Chelsea as a puppy in Paris. Her registered name is Chelsea Ann Taflinger (C.A.T.).

On July 4, 2008, the couple was visiting friends on Highland Park Road. Kids were shooting bottle rockets, which spooked Chelsea and she fled through an open gate.

The family looked until 1 or 2 a.m., and continued the search the next day.

When they asked people if they had seen the dog, people said she had just been there. It seems the Taflingers were two or three hours behind each Chelsea sighting.

Richard put up flyers and continued looking when he wasn’t working third shift at McLane Midwest. They even put an ad on television. The couple’s grown sons, Christopher of Danville and Chad of Tilton, helped out.

“It was a constant search,” Thelma said.

Two storms hit during that time, and Chelsea endured those.

“A lot of people called, saying they were praying for us,” Richard said. Friends with motorcycles joined the search, as well.

On the 10th day, Chad got a phone call (his cell-phone number was on the posters) saying that a couple of boys had spotted the dog in Grape Creek. They weren’t able to catch her, however.

Chad went out there, and saw the dog beyond a creek. He waded across the creek to get her, and Chelsea recognized him.

He took her home for a joyous welcome.

“She was dirty, stinky and had scratches on her face,” Richard said. He took her to Fairchild Animal Hospital, where she got antibiotics.

Richard was so relieved to have his companion back.

“It was like a ton of bricks were off me,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d ever find her. I’m happy to have her back.”

A year has passed, but Chelsea is still afraid of fireworks. Otherwise, she’s back to her playful self.

She enjoys chasing a ball with Darkotis, who is Chad’s cat, and the two play with each other. She likes to go on walks. However, she doesn’t like it when anyone leaves the house, and she’ll start barking and throwing a fit, Richard said.

Chelsea also is good with kids and likes playing with the couple’s grandson, Brody Taflinger, who’s 4.

The Taflingers are sold on the sheltie breed, and would recommend them to others.

“They’re very smart, very protective and energetic,” Richard said.

Although Richard seems to have the strongest bond with the dog, Thelma enjoys Chelsea, too, and takes her for walks when she gets off from her job at CCMSI.

SAVE THE DATE

Sunset Funeral Home is sponsoring “Paws in Motion,” a pet walk fundraiser, on Sept. 19. The event will take place at Sunset Memorial Park from 8 a.m. until noon.

This is a fundraiser for the Vermilion County Animal Shelter Foundation. Donations will be accepted. Pet photos and face painting also will be available.

If you would like to have your pet featured, contact Mary Wicoff at 477-5161, send an e-mail to mwicoff@dancomnews.com or write to Commercial-News, 17 W. North, Danville, IL 61832.