- How neighbors, strangers, and faith came together to bring Nala home
- We called her name into the dark, drove the roads.
- We searched the ditches and tree lines for over an hour—but she was not there.
By Dr. Sheri Voss
It started as an ordinary Saturday afternoon, a few days after a windstorm.
Trees had come down across our property, the kind of damage so many in Colden and the surrounding areas know well. My husband was outside stacking wood, cleaning up what the wind had left behind, and our 8-year-old English crème retriever, Nala, stayed close by—loyal as ever, moving quietly between the yard and the woods she knew so well. Until she didn’t.
At some point, without a sound, Nala wandered off. She had done this before—looping through familiar paths, occasionally ending up on a nearby property with the big white house and barn on Bailey. But he panicked. We love our pup. She was a wanderer, and we or a neighbor always found her—but not this time.
An hour passed. Then two. Then four. By early evening, the weight of it hit. Nala could not rely on instinct the way other dogs do—after cancer treatment, she had lost much of her sense of smell. If she was out there, she would not be able to find her way home.
By 5:00 p.m., the search had begun in earnest. My husband trekked into the woods. I drove with windows down, calling her name into the fading light—flashers blinking, voices carrying across fields and into the woods.
Social media posts went up, and messages spread fast across East Aurora, Holland, West Falls, and Colden—and far beyond through Facebook search and rescue groups, lost-and-found pet communities, and their tireless moderators who amplified her story again and again. Posts were shared in WNY Lost & Found Pets, Southtowns Lost and Found Pets, Colden Neighbors, East Auroran, and even Buy Nothing – East Aurora, Elma, Marilla, Wales, Holland.
Moderators worked quickly, pushing updates out and keeping the community connected in real time. Friends near and far began sharing too—Jay, Julie, Michelle, Adele, Meggles, Mike, and Lee, even from as far away as Virginia and Tennessee—proving that distance does not limit compassion when people care.
And then something remarkable happened. People showed up.
Not just a few—but many. We passed cars on quiet roads with hazard lights flashing, people leaning out windows calling for a dog they had never met. Others were deep in the woods, walking trails and property lines in the dark.
At one point, we realized we had crossed paths with more than 20 people out searching—our sweet neighbors, friends, and complete strangers.
The leads started coming in. Jeff saw her at the S-curves around 5:00 p.m., exploring the ditch on the east side of Center Road—one of the first real clues that helped guide the search. Elayne was ready to head into East Aurora to help, asking where exactly she should go. Samantha, nearby, heard us calling and went into her acres to call and search. Megan and so many others were looking, hoping, and encouraging. Victoria, who Nala normally gravitated to, was out searching with her wonderful mom, Linda. Josh and Emily, our neighbors—with their young children—were deep in their property on trails.
People were checking Ring and trail cameras.
A sweet girl named Summer was driving around ready with a simple donut in case she found her. Kim, our mail carrier, reached out to check if it was us, and then started looking, knowing full well what Nala looked like from her many stops at our home. Heather was out searching again the next day, carrying the hope forward. Cody was working behind the scenes, helping us try to find someone with a drone, reaching out and connecting us to anyone who might help. And one woman, without hesitation, sent her husband out on his bike to search—another quiet act of kindness in a night full of them.
People we knew and people we did not—all searching for Nala.
And then, late that Saturday night, came a moment that felt like it might be the one. Around 10:30 p.m., we received a direct message through Facebook: “Call me—I see your dog.” She had been spotted on Darien Road—just one country block from our house. Hope came rushing back all at once. Within seconds, our house was empty.
We are a family of five, ages 17 to 58, and every one of us was in motion—grabbing keys, heading out, jumping into separate cars and driving in from different directions. Even our neighbor Josh headed out at that hour to help search.
We called her name into the dark, drove the roads, and searched the ditches and tree lines for over an hour—but she was not there.
And just as quickly as hope had surged, it faded. We came home exhausted, worried, and heartbroken, starting to lose hope. Nala had never been gone this long.
We returned home exhausted and heartbroken.
Nala had never been gone this long.
We searched fields, roads, and woods, wishing—just for a moment—that there had been a dusting of snow to guide us with paw prints. By midnight, we had to stop.
Sleep did not come easily, but at 5:30 Sunday morning, we were back out there. The air was cold and quiet, and still—people were helping. People were still sharing, still watching, still showing up. People were still praying. Because faith was woven through all of it. In the middle of fear, there was a steady sense that we were not alone—that God was present in the timing, in the people, in every message and every set of headlights in the dark.
Behind the scenes, people were moving just as quickly. My dear friend Jennifer—one of my very best friends—went straight into action early Sunday morning. At 6:00 a.m., before most of the world was even awake, she was already printing over 30 flyers from her own printer and hanging them throughout the community—showing up with belief, determination, and a quiet refusal to give up on Nala.
She gave me something just as important as action—she gave hope. She reminded us that Nala is older, likely tired, and probably very close by. That simple perspective grounded us and helped us believe she was still within reach.
Eighteen hours is a long time when your dog is missing.
Then, around 11:00 a.m. Sunday, everything changed. Our 25-year-old daughter and affectionately called “animal whisperer”, Kelsey and her fiancé Matt had been going house to house along Center Road toward Darien—steady, determined, refusing to give up. About seven country houses away from where she had been last seen, down a long driveway to a quiet log cabin set back, they found her.
Nala lay on the front porch. No one was home. She was simply there—alive, safe, waiting.
Alleluia!
I rushed home to meet their truck and collapsed on the driveway in tears as I wrapped my arms around the giant white fur ball of a bear sized dog. We just snuggled there for a few minutes, and then we had more action to do. She needed to be looked over, checked for ticks, fed, hydrated, and bathed. She was so happy to be home – barreling around the yard running laps like a young puppy.
Family!
Even after she was home, the community did not stop. My husband spent three hours taking down flyers, and along the way, a couple pulled over to ask if we had found her. When we told them she was home, they shared how worried they had been and how they had been praying. The woman became so overwhelmed with relief that she began to cry. That is the kind of place this is.
This is what community looks like. It looks like headlights in the dark and voices calling through the trees. It looks like neighbors dropping everything and families bringing their children along to help. It looks like big, beautiful eye-catching flyers, social media posts, and strangers turning into search teams. It looks like people who care—deeply, instinctively—about someone else’s loss.
We will never fully have the words for the gratitude we feel. The fear of not knowing where she was is something we will not forget—but neither is the overwhelming kindness that met us in that fear. Nala is home.
And when the “FOUND” post finally went up, it spread just as fast—closing the loop on a story so many people had been following and praying over. And like so many moments in this journey, even that ending carried a quiet reminder of where she had been—the woods, the waiting, the unknown.
We checked her carefully for ticks—grateful to have Kelsey, a vet tech, guiding us—and thankfully, all of our prevention treatments had worked.
Not so much for my husband, who forgot to permethrin spray his coat in the rush.
But that’s another story.
Woods harvested a doe, his first New York deer ever. His dad, Forster, said, “The deer was not a giant, but it was a healthy doe that we turned into burger and jerky.”
family meals. His parents plan to have a shoulder mount done of the estimated 140-pound deer as a proud keepsake reminder of this first deer for their son, and the family teamwork that made it possible. This achievement is not just a personal milestone, but is in support of the future of hunting and the potential of all young hunters. It’s a cause for celebration and inspiration for all hunters.
like spots along the shore. High above, the first flight of Canada Geese was honking in V-shaped formations. On one tree, there was a small group of brightly colored American Goldfinch birds having a morning singing clutch. Not far away, there was a Sharp-Shinned Hawk to one side of the tree, and a Coopers Hawk on a tree not far away, the other way. All species have their ways in nature; they all struggle to survive each day, just like we people folk, but they have no concern about import taxes and electric bills. I grinned again. It was so good to be here.
The unmistakable zzzztttttt-zzzztttttt, that buzzing reel song of a massive musky stripping line. The drag was screaming! I knew right away that it was finally happening. We ALL yelled fish as I ran full speed to the firing rod. She had already ripped drag out to 243 ft, and the real battle began. She wasn’t coming in without giving me the fight of my dreams. She stayed low. I knew she was big. Head shakes and run after run, and a little musky shuffle from me, all while Matt and Kurt hosed my legs and fanned my feet from the brigade of biting black flies. And, with Corrine shouting “REEL, REEL, REEL!” It was quite the scene! Never to be reenacted. Always to be remembered.
herapysportfishinglsc #forevermemories #greatlakesfishing #muskyfishing #spotted #gIt was a fully immersive experience from the moment Captain Kurt reeled out his handmade wooden planer boards, to tricking my first LSC fish on his custom handmade #7 willow blade, 3/8oz, purple/white skirt tail, 7/0 hook bucktail. Perfection in a spinner bait for giant Musky. Was it the color? The action? The sound? The location? It didn’t matter to me at that moment; I was so excited.
From a wildlife management perspective, DEC biologists generally support practical and effective tools for managing deer populations, regardless of their name, especially in areas with high deer densities. Crossbows will increase the number of hunters able to contribute to deer population control. Crossbows produce cleaner, more consistently accurate shots, resulting in less wounding loss. This is a significant benefit for wildlife management, as it helps to ensure that hunting is conducted in a humane and sustainable manner, contributing to the overall health and balance of the deer population.
When I got older, Fall was, and still is, my favorite time to be by myself outdoors. It was hunting time. I was in tree stands and blinds hunting deer, turkeys, and ducks. I marveled at the kaleidoscope of colors that surrounded me. I enjoyed the cool nip in the air.
That urge to be by myself, I have done so many times in my life, is coming on again. It has been building for a few months, and I must go. To a valley, by a creek, surrounded by wooded hills. Maybe I will take my fishing rod. Maybe I will take my hiking shoes. Maybe I will take my camera. Maybe I will take my tent and camp on a hill where I can see the beautiful country around me. Maybe I will take a hammock and hang it between two trees. Maybe, I will take a book. Maybe I will work on a story like this one.
I will fish a little. Lie around. Read. Gather some firewood. Go for a swim in the creek. Lie around. Contemplate what it was like when Indians or settlers were there. Look at cloud shapes. Lie around. Listen to the water flowing and wonder where it goes on its journey. Skip rocks. Look for arrowheads. Take a nap. Build a campfire. Look at the stars and thank God for what He has done in my life. Thank Him for my family, my church, and all that He has created for me to enjoy all these years, and what few years I have left.
Dale explains, “Gamma’s extruded monofilament and fluorocarbon lines are molecularly altered, creating filaments with an unprecedented combination of flexibility, shock resistance, strength, abrasion resistance, and low memory when compared to filaments of the same or similar material composition. The patented Gamma processing breaks down the stiff, long-chain molecules created during extrusion and drawing while creating millions of intermolecular bonds to cross-link the structure, resulting in a stronger, more flexible line.”
Gamma Line is one of those products that anglers may be skeptical about until they actually fish with it for a period of time. Dale says, “I know because I was one of those skeptics. It took an entire season of using 6-pound Gamma Edge on a favorite smallmouth/walleye spinning outfit to sway me. It performed much better than expected. For example, during fall trips for river smallmouth in deep current pools where snagging debris piles frequently occurred, I would accidentally snag debris and hold the boat in the strong current with my 6-pound Gamma. In contrast, others on board caught bass from all around the sunken cover. From then on, all my rods were spooled with Gamma, including daily use of 4-pound test Gamma Panfish Copolymer on a half-dozen customer rods during my stint as a crappie guide.”
In 2022, Henry Founder & CEO Anthony Imperato pledged to donate $1 million through its 
safety education, and 2nd Amendment advocacy are all additional beneficiaries of Henry’s Guns for Great Causes program. 100% of all Guns For Great Causes firearms sales are donated. Since its inception, Henry Repeating Arms has donated over $3.5 million through Guns For Great Causes endeavors. 
Military veteran organizations, including the nation’s largest, like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and those specifically providing aid to the wounded and families of the fallen, like Disabled American Veterans, Building Homes for Heroes, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. In addition, charities benefiting law enforcement, first responders, and their families received financial support, including the Border Patrol Foundation, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and the First Responder’s Children’s Foundation. This support is a testament to our respect and value for their service.
Right now, I am closing in on catching my 50th member of the sunfish clan where each fish measures a minimum of 9-inches. Several approaching 11-inches, too. None have come from fishing from a boat, either. Not one. If you want, I can repeat that fact. It’s important to remember.
Case in point. Of course, live bait works better when the water cools. It doesn’t take a Sherlock to figure that one out. Yet even though I was doing just fine with tipping a jig with a trio of maggots, I got to wondering if this methodology could be improved upon. In short, I revisited my thinking in midstream for no other reason than because I wanted to test a thought.
Consequently, I hit on adding those small artificial products that come in those always leaking bottles of artificial “live bait” that Berkley makes. So, I began using Berkley’s pink-colored artificial grubs, two of them along with three real live maggots.
hase big game hunting. As honest hunters, we all like that phase of the rules and regulations managed to maintain a healthy population of wild critters.
Matt is living his dream after he retired from the sheriff’s office. Besides their Sage Wood Campgrounds, he competes in Major League Bass Fishing Tournaments and is also a well-known and respected fishing guide on Kentucky Lake. If you like fishing, I highly recommend a trip to Kentucky Lake and booking a fishing trip with Matt for your choice of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, striped bass, black and white crappie, sauger, redear sunfish, and more.
The best time to view a sunrise or sunset is mid-fall when sunrises and sunsets shine through trees covered with autumn leaves. Late in fall and in winter when air is cleaner is also good. Drier or less humid environments can produce brilliant sunrises and sunsets due to lower water vapor. Snow cover on the ground in winter makes the sunrise and sunset moments even more beautiful.
If you travel to hunt here, pack deer tick protection to be extra safe. Deer ticks live everywhere these days. Three of my grandkids have had to fight Lyme disease delivered by deer ticks. We use Sawyers Permethrin spray for exterior clothing and boots (not for skin exposure) and Sawyers Picaridin lotion for exposed skin. Deer ticks are repelled upon contact. The Picaridin formula is people-friendly. Visit 
state. Northern pike are another popular spring target for anglers. These fish can also be found throughout much of the state, and opportunities for trophy-size fish are available in a number of waters, especially in the northeast and west.
DEC reminds New Yorkers that boats, trailers, waders and other fishing equipment can spread harmful 
To avoid spreading invasive species, 
Q: For many turkey hunters, a grand slam is the Holy Grail, something they hope to accomplish once in their lifetime, yet you have done it more than 100 times. What drives you, and how were you able to record that many?
By 10 am, we both have our limit of crappie. Fish looks up and sees an eagle sitting on a limb watching him. He tells me it is there every time he goes fishing. He smiles and thanks God for his last day on the water. He also thanks me for coming with him. A tear runs down his cheek and mine. His doctor has told him his heart is getting weaker. He has, maybe, six more months to live.
When we get to his home and pull into his driveway, Fish stops to look at Old Glory proudly flying on a pole in his front yard. It is there every day, not just on Memorial Day. He only takes it down when there is bad weather or replaces it with a new one.
He smiles because he knows I will take his place and do the things he does to honor our veterans on Memorial Day. He wonders how long it will take people to thank Veterans for serving when they see them wearing their Veterans Branch of Service cap. He asked me to speak at his funeral. I agreed to do that. He wonders if anyone will come to his grave but me on Memorial Day. I told him I would be there talking to him. I know he will be listening.
and Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan veterans the Underestimated Generation. Every generation has proved itself worthy of standing up to the precedent of the Greatest Generation. Since the American Revolution, American military men and women have been the best in the world. Let us all take the time to remember all veterans who served or are serving, peacetime or wartime, gone or still with us. May God Bless America and all veterans.” 
As life goes on and my body starts to wear down, my hands still hold me up and lay me down. My old wrinkled hands continue to fold in prayer. When my time comes, my hands are what God will take to lead me home. I like to think my grandmother will be there to put my face in her hands and tell me she loves me.
On Monday, April 8, starting just after 3 p.m., a total solar eclipse will be passing through about one-third of NYS, from the southwest corner near the PA border through to the northeast corner up by VT. While this total solar eclipse travels over NYS, the entire state will be able to see at least 88% of a partial eclipse: Albany is 96%, Catskills between 90-95%, NYC 89%, and Montauk 88%.
To view the eclipse safely, remember the following tips:
What can hunters expect across state regions this spring? All regions of the state had decreased reproduction from 2021 to 2022, but the Coastal Plain regions in the southern half of the state had the biggest dip due to the high production in 2021. The Blue Ridge, Ridge & Valley, and Piedmont regions had slight decreases but have still hovered around the same 1.5 poult-per-hen average.
Sportsmen contribute nearly $9.4 million every day, adding more than $3.4 billion every year for conservation.
Today’s fishermen are gearheads, no doubt about it. There are a myriad of specific rods, reels, lures, terminal tackle, and accessories to help them be successful in freshwater and saltwater, no matter the targeted species. Regardless, there are three tools all anglers should always have – pliers, scissors, and a hook remover. The Anglers’ Best Tool Kit conveniently combines all three, each of the highest quality designed to last a lifetime. All for under $45.
One of the first seasons to open every year is the September 
In some ways, Jake is just an average 15-year-old boy. Although his hunting and shooting abilities are comparable to an adult level of participation, he, like many 15-year-olds, thinks he is a “top dog”. I think it’s great when a youth has an outlet for his energy and takes an interest in the outdoors. Jake won’t see his 16th birthday. Jake won’t be out for the deer season, and we will never know what Jake may have been able to offer the youth of future generations.
The classic Steelhead Outdoors Nomad series offers ceramic fire insulation rated to 2300 degrees and is non-moisture trapping. That means no dehumidifier is required (and will not release steam into the safe in the event of a fire). How cool is that?!
All too often, turkey hunters fail to operate, or play, this instrument correctly. Pressing the paddle onto the box may help increase volume, but will likely cause you to loose the desired pitch. Quality custom-built box calls are designed for the weight of the paddle to be sufficient pressure to make the box play. Most paddles will have a sweet spot. Find this spot and you have found the key to your spring success.
