Luna, a 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier from California, has been loose in Yellowstone National Park since September 10. She's been seen almost every day for weeks, walking through lodges and employee housing, but as of October 14 she still hadn't been caught. Rescuers say they may have only about a week left before snow and closures force them to stop until spring.

What happened

Luna's family was staying in a rented cabin in the Canyon Village area. They went to see Norris Geyser Basin, where dogs aren't allowed, and left her in the cabin with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, Cowboy State Daily reports.

While they were out, housekeeping opened the door and Luna ran. Staff chased her for about two hours before the family got back. The family searched for a week and, according to the Associated Press, were told she had probably died or been taken by a coyote. They went home to California.

Then the sightings started. Luna was spotted on September 13 and again on September 20. Since then people have seen her nearly every day: crossing intersections, wandering through employee housing, even slipping into lodges through automatic doors. On October 9 she was seen still wearing the purple collar she had on when she got out.

The search

The volunteer effort is led by Katie Boucher, president of the Norris Ark Training and Recovery Center in Norris, Montana, just north of the park. She told reporters she has worked out where Luna beds down and is using a humane trap that someone watches and closes remotely once the dog walks in.

The trap isn't baited with food. In bear country, food would draw in wildlife. Instead it uses the family's scent. Boucher used a similar scent setup with a lost dog's blanket in a Montana forest before, and it worked on the fourth night.

About 30 people have helped over the past month, Cowboy State Daily says, but most have stepped back so they don't spook Luna. Marie Jaskula, who manages a general store in the park, has put flyers at the park entrances.

Boucher thinks Luna's early life helps. Before she was adopted, she spent about a year living on the streets. "Her behavior pattern suggests to me that she is looking for her family," Boucher told the AP.

What each side says

Xanterra runs the lodging where the family stayed. Todd Walton, marketing and sales director for Yellowstone National Park Lodges, told Cowboy State Daily the housekeeper was delivering towels the family had asked for. He said the company gave free lodging for several days and an RV site to the search, offered Boucher half off three hotel nights, and described a loose dog in the park as more of a National Park Service concern.

Boucher called the company "non-communicative" and said staff either didn't notice the sign or weren't trained to deal with it. She said the Park Service has been a strong partner. Delaware North, which runs stores in the park, has given her an RV spot and meals.

The family asked not to be named and declined to speak to Cowboy State Daily.

What happens next

Time is short. Boucher's RV park for seasonal staff closes on Monday, October 19, the AP reports. If Luna isn't trapped within about a week, the search will be suspended for the winter because there's "no safe access," Boucher said. A light snow has already fallen. Her biggest worry is the cold, since Luna is used to California weather, though she said she wouldn't be surprised to find her still there in spring.

What you can do

If you're in or near the park, don't chase Luna and don't call her name. Both make her run deeper into the woods. Take a photo if you can and report the sighting right away to the National Park Service.

The rest of us can take two lessons from Luna. A scared dog, even a friendly family pet, often won't come when called. Chasing almost always makes it worse. And if you leave a pet in a hotel room or cabin, tell the front desk and housekeeping directly. A sign on the door isn't enough.

Sources