A few months after Gary Brill Jr. was hit in January 2013 by a vehicle while crossing Fourth Plain Boulevard, he had to put down his dog of nine years, Buddy.
A friend, who knew Brill had lost his black Lab-Newfoundland mix, later gifted him two dachshund puppies, a brother and sister that Brill named Danny and Annie.
But now, Annie is missing.
“I was so hurt when I got them,” Brill said. “They saved me when I needed something the most.”
Brill, 51, of Ridgefield was struck by a vehicle at about 9:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 2013, on West Fourth Plain Boulevard and Kaufman Avenue. Speed was not a factor and the driver was not intoxicated, police said, but Brill was intoxicated. Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said that investigators could not determine whether Brill was in the crosswalk, and there were no citations issued.
Brill was seriously injured and taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Police reported that he had a broken leg and scrapes to his face. Brill said he also suffered brain damage in the incident.
Brill said that Danny and Annie were a huge part of his recovery. But now, Annie’s been missing for a week.
At about 8 p.m. on Nov. 28, Brill said, he drove in his van from his trailer at 315 N.W. 194th in Ridgefield to say a quick thank you to his neighbor. When he returned to the van, Annie was gone.
“I left her in the car … it only happened in a matter of seconds,” he said.
He has checked area humane societies and has knocked on neighbors doors, but hasn’t had any luck in finding his dog.
Brill is offering a reward of $200 for Annie. If anyone sees the dog, they are asked to call Brill at 360-449-9365.
“We go everywhere together, the three of us,” he said, holding Danny in his arms. “These puppies mean more to me than anything.”
