In September 2022 toy poodle, Burrito went missing while on a regular daily walk in an Auckland park. It sparked a huge community effort to find him, and saw his owners set up camp in the park. Eleven days later, the toy poodle was found, dehydrated, and skinny, but alive. The Wag spoke to Burrito’s owners, Grace and Isaac Layola about life two years on, and a new edition to their family.
TW: Can you take me back to when Burrito first became part of your family?
Burrito came into our lives about six years ago, and it felt like he was always meant to be with us. We found him through a local breeder in Waiuku, and from the moment I held him, I knew he was something special. He was this tiny, fluffy bundle, so gentle and sweet, with the softest eyes that seemed to say, “I’m home.” Even as a pup, he had a calm and loving nature. He instantly became the heart of our family, bringing so much joy and warmth into our lives.
TW: And he was very much loved, very much your fur baby?
Absolutely. Burrito is family to us. He’s been through so many life moments with us, from lazy weekends at home to family outings. He’s not just a pet; he’s part of our story.
TW: Let’s talk about the day he went missing; how did that unfold – it was on a walk you’d done many times?
Yes, it was a walk we’d done countless times. We were at the Botanical Garden, and it was such a normal day—nothing out of the ordinary. Burrito was off-lead, enjoying himself as usual, but something spooked him, and he bolted. We thought he’d loop back to us as he always did, but this time, he didn’t.
TW: What happened when he didn’t come back initially – you must have thought he wasn’t too far away?
That’s exactly it. We stayed in the area, calling for him and searching for hours, thinking he was probably nearby, just hiding or distracted. As the day turned into night, though, we started to worry.
TW: What happened from there, you put the word out he was missing?
Yes, immediately. We contacted local vets, animal shelters, and shared his picture on every community Facebook page we could find. Friends and family helped spread the word. It became this huge, collective effort to find him.
TW: He has a big social media following on Instagram, so that helped?
It did! Burrito’s followers were amazing. People who’d never met us volunteered to help search or share his story online. It was incredible to see how much love and support came pouring in.
TW: You had dozens of people searching each day?
We did. People would show up to help, and others would message us tips or sightings. It gave us so much hope to know we weren’t looking alone.
TW: And you and Isaac decided to camp out in the area Burrito went missing?
Yes, we couldn’t bear the thought of him being scared and alone, so we camped out in hopes of hearing or seeing him. It was cold and exhausting, but we weren’t going to give up on him.
TW: After 11 days, a breakthrough – tell me how you got the news that he had been found?
It was unbelievable. Two lovely ladies, who regularly walk their dog in the area, spotted him in the bush and recognised him. They mentioned seeing movement by the Puhinui Creek, exactly where the animal communicator had suggested he might be. Then came the call we’d been hoping for—they didn’t just say, “We saw Burrito,” but “We have Burrito.” Those words gave us chills.
When we arrived, it was like a scene out of a film. We saw Burrito with them and ran towards him, tears streaming down our faces. We couldn’t stop crying. Burrito was tired, dirty, and clearly worn out, but he was safe, and that’s all that mattered. Seeing him again, alive and in our arms, was the most incredible feeling in the world.
TW: What was his recovery like, after 11 days lost?
He was severely dehydrated, a bit underweight, and had a cut near his armpit, but thankfully, nothing major. He bounced back surprisingly quickly with some TLC, vet check-ups, and plenty of rest.
TW: How is he now?
Burrito is thriving! He’s still as gentle and loving as ever, and he hasn’t let the experience change his sweet nature.
TW: And he has a brother now, Bobby?
Yes, Bobby joined our family recently, and he and Burrito have become the best of mates. Bobby’s this goofy extrovert who loves everyone he meets, while Burrito’s more of an introvert who prefers to keep to himself—especially when it comes to strangers. They’re complete opposites, but that’s what makes their bond so special. They balance each other perfectly.
TW: What would your advice be to anyone whose dog goes missing?
Don’t lose hope and keep spreading the word. Use every platform and resource you can, and lean on your community. Dogs are resilient, and with persistence, there’s always a chance they’ll come home.
TW: And where can we follow Burrito and Bobby on Instagram?
You can follow their adventures at @poodlebrosnz . We share glimpses of their lives, along with lots of adorable photos and videos!
