Losing someone either from death or disappearance is devastating. It's painful, exhausting, and deeply upsetting. It's also a constant reminder that life can be taken away at any moment. No matter the age, gender, or other circumstances of the person, family and friends will not easily recover from their loss.
Sadly, Marcel Poitras experienced this when her wife and dogs vanished without a clue. And just like any other person living in this world, Marcel was willing to go above and beyond to find his wife, Annette, and their companions.
Let's take a look at the story of the disappearance of Annette and her three dogs.
Annette’s Love for Dogs
Annette Poitras enjoyed her time with her dog, which is why spending time with them meant so much to her. Not only did her family know about her love of dogs, but the entire community she belonged to also knew about it. She even chose to become a professional dog walker.
As a professional dog walker, Annette Poitras's favorite place was the land surrounding her home. Her everyday destination was Eagle Mountain in Coquitlam. It was like Annette was not only working but playing at the same time too. Annette truly enjoyed a fulfilling life with a wonderful family by her side and doing the things she loved to do.
Just Another Normal Day
The Poitras were doing what they typically do one morning in November. Annette was preparing herself and their three canine companions for their usual routine walk. She prepared herself and the dogs for the cold and set off into the unknown. But what started as a typical walk turned into terror.
And like many others, Annette wasn't prepared for what was in store for her. It was the start of a tremendously tiring and heart-wrenching journey for them and for the people who loved and cared for them, especially her husband, who they left behind.
Her Three Companions
On one day in November, Annette journeyed with three dogs. She was with Roxy, the boxer, Bubba, a poodle and pug mix, and Chloe, a black and white border collie. The three dogs were fond of Annette’s company, which is why the adventure with them was always fun. Like Annette, the three dogs were eager to embark on their excursion.
Initially, Annette was not thinking of walking her dogs for a long time. All she wanted was just to stroll the area where they used to go and be back just after an hour of walking. But that didn’t happen. She hadn’t even bid goodbye to her husband, thinking that she would be back before he knew it.
The Start of Marcel’s Worst Nightmare
Later that day, Annette and the three dogs are nowhere to be found. Marcel started to feel anxious about it. He thought that it was unusual for her wife to be late after walking the dogs, so when they hadn’t returned, he began to worry. Who wouldn’t?
The place where Annette would probably be was dark and cold. Immediately, Marcel thought to himself that something bad had happened to his wife and the three dogs. By this time, he was overwhelmed with so many questions without a single answer in mind.
A Storm is Coming
Finding Annette was Marcel’s first priority, but it seemed like the weather was not on his side. The weather broadcast announced that there was a storm coming into their area. They are expecting heavy rain that could make the situation even worse. If he wanted to find his wife, he needed to do it as fast as possible.
Nightfall came, and the possibility of finding them was pretty slim. There was no sign of Annette. Marcel wondered if he should call someone in to help him start a search. Perhaps she would just return later, he thought. Back and forth it went.
Marcel’s Journey of Finding His Wife
Dark and stormy weather or not, Marcel couldn’t just sit there and wait for his wife to knock on their door. He had to do something! He started to search for her in the places where she used to go, following the paths she used to follow.
With his determination to follow his wife’s path, he found a clue—her van. Hoping to see his wife inside, Marcel didn’t waste time and hurriedly went to check if his wife was inside. But when he reached it, he found that the van was empty. All of a sudden, the hope in Marcel’s heart had gone.
Help is on Its Way
Failing to find his wife by himself, Marcel had to call for a backup. He informed the authorities of her missing wife and dogs. He told him everything that they needed to know, where she was heading, her usual route, anything that could help them find her faster. Time was running out!
Thankfully, the authorities didn’t disappoint him. The SAR (rescue team) and Coquitlam Search and Mounted Police were there to lend a helping hand to find and rescue Annette. Although Marcel had already informed them about Annette’s usual route, the information he gave was not enough. They had to search a massive area.
Enveloped by Darkness
Although there was uncertainty about where to start searching, Marcel, together with the team, kept hoping and started looking for any clues in the woods. They were looking for anything that could possibly point out where she had gone or what had happened to Annette.
They were battling not only uncertainty but also time. Because time was of the essence for Annette and her dogs, they had to make sure that none was wasted. The likelihood of discovering them decreased as time went on. But still, there were no signs of their whereabouts.
The Search Is Getting Worse
Days passed. The storm was giving the team an even harder time searching for Marcel’s wife and the pups. The area was so muddy, which made it dangerous for everyone. On top of that, Marcel and the rescuers were still fresh out of clues.
Marcel's chances of seeing them again decreased daily, which caused him a great deal of anxiety. Fears of Annette being wounded out there slowly entered his mind, making him panicked but even more charged.
A Race Against Time
Time was against them. Their lack of luck and the storm drove them to the absolute limit. Due to the circumstances, a SAR command center had to be established. They were conscious of the need to act quickly.
SAR didn't waste time and already executed a technique called "sound sweep." The sound sweep technique is based on the idea that a missing person will make a sound in response to a loud noise made by the searchers, typically by shouting. With this, they hoped that, eventually, they'd get something.
Another Day Passed
Annette and the dogs remained missing for yet another day. Everyone who was searching for them, especially Marcel, felt even greater heartbreak at not finding any answers. Their search area was already completely dark, making navigation considerably more challenging.
They were, in fact, facing a very difficult situation. Time was their enemy from the very start, and Marcel was aware that the chances of finding Annette alive were slim if they didn't find her in the following hours. The question remained, where was Annette?
The Search Continues
The weather still wasn't cooperating. It was difficult to maneuver on the ground level because of the muddy terrain. But that didn't stop SAR from doing their task. They even asked for more help to ensure that they could cover a lot more areas as fast as possible.
Aside from using the sound sweep technique, they used helicopters to ensure they could reach faraway areas faster. When they already had over a hundred people searching the woods for Annette and the dogs, It was time to take things to the next level.
Doing Anything To Find Them
Despite the challenging circumstances, nobody once considered giving up. Not yet. They were still hoping to see them in the bitter cold amongst the woods and the bracken. They hoped to find her huddled in some nook or under a broken tree.
Somewhere out there, Annette and her three dogs were waiting to be rescued. They couldn't fail them. They just needed to continue what they were doing—and fast. They thought of narrowing down the area and focusing on that alone to be able to work efficiently—but the question was—where to start?
Using a Thermal Imaging Camera
The helicopter that was used for searching for Annette and the dogs used a body heat detector (thermal imaging camera). There was a big possibility that they could get a sign of life from there. But because of the large trees around the area, it was difficult for them to detect much.
They failed to find them using the helicopter with thermal imaging, but it didn’t discourage them from continuing to look for her. No one had given up. Everyone was still laser-focused on their goal. But of course, as time passed by, the sorrow built up for Marcel.
Heartbroken Marcel
No one was more affected by the situation than Annette’s husband, Marcel. Even though he persevered to find her day and night, the feeling of pain was still there. He had been carrying a heavy heart since the day his wife went missing. But there was no way he would stop looking for her.
Marcel still held on to the thought that his wife was strong enough to be able to survive. Although there was a lot of negativity around their search and rescue mission, he still persevered in searching for clues as to where his wife had gone. He just loved his beloved wife so much that he continued to do his best.
No Plans to Stop
Regardless of the uncertainty, the rescuers are still pushing forward with the search. To begin with, they didn’t have a clue about adding fuel to the fire when the storm hit the area. For them, seeing Annette and the dogs alive is a priority, but regardless of what will happen, were firm in their belief that they will see Annette and the dogs.
Eventually, the second day of searching came to an end. They had been walking around for a full day. They had no choice but to go back and wait for sunlight to continue searching. The dark skies and bad weather really made the search that much harder.
A Ray of Hope
Given that there was a storm and that Annette wasn’t planning on a longer walk (which meant she didn’t have food to help them survive for days), a thought came to the rescuers' mind as they returned home: “How would they survive in these conditions?”
With all the circumstances against them, it would have been easy to say that finding Annette and the dogs was impossible. But just when everything was against them, something came through that could turn the whole situation around. Finally, a clue would point them to Annette and the dogs. But would they find them?
Surprising Witness
The searchers met with a witness who could assist them in their search. On the day Annette vanished, Marc Herr, a resident, spotted Annette walking with the canines. He claimed to have been in the forest that day and had stopped for a smoke when she spotted them.
Marc didn't pay any attention to it because she and the dogs were going about as usual and nothing about them was out of the ordinary. He was unaware that he would provide the crucial lead necessary to locate the missing woman and the pups.
The Reason Why Marc Finally Talked
For days, the rescuers didn't have a solid clue as to the whereabouts of Annette and the dogs. But why did Marc come forward to report what he saw? It only took him watching the evening news for him to finally grasp that he was holding important information that could help.
In an interview with the CTV channel, Herr said that he saw the news and realized he had seen them on the day they vanished. Marc thought to himself about how critical the information he was holding was. Was this the break they were longing for?
Good Things are Coming
With Herr's information the rescuers could narrow down the area for their search. Since they could concentrate on that area, they were more likely to find Annette and the dogs sooner, which is what they all hoped. The rescuers followed in her last-known footsteps.
Although they had something to go on, they had been searching for several days at that point, and the weather still wasn’t on their side. But nothing would stop them from looking for Annette. Another surprise was on its way too, which would help the rescue team that same day.
Annette's Mobile Phone
In today's day and time, most people can't leave the house without bringing their phones. And Annette was no exeption. On that day, Annette's husband, Marcel, remembered that she saw his wife bringing her phone with her when she left. It only meant one thing.
With the help of the Royal Mounted Police, they were able to track down her cell phone. Luckily, they got Annette's activity on her phone, which helped them narrow down the search area even more. It was a long shot, but it seemed to pay off.
The Search Continues
After three days of looking for Annette and the dogs—there was still no sign of them. The search team employed another helicopter and more SAR dogs to make sure they were not wasting time. Time really was important—while she may have had access to rainwater, she nor the dogs had eaten in several days.
By this time, there were over 300 people in action trying to search for them. However, they had one more day to find her, and then the search would be up. On the last day, they set out with as much hope in their hearts as they could muster. Would they be able to find them?
The Day Has Come
There was a sign. Then it all unraveled. Rescuers were delighted to hear loud barking in the area, which they immediately checked. Everyone was astonished—especially Marcel—upon seeing his wife and the dogs—alive.
But how? How had she and the dogs managed to survive the storm? How had they survived without food or water? All these questions were answered in time by none other than Annette herself.
What Happened to Them?
Annette started by recounting what had happened to them that day. She took the dogs for a walk in the woods on Monday morning, but the weather wasn't the best. The entire area was soggy and muddy. Because of poor footing, Annette tripped and fell, knocking her out for an entire day.
It was the reason she couldn't move when Marcel and the rescuers found her. Annette had no idea what had happened when she woke up. Without someone there to help her, she was helpless. Even the dogs would not have been able to help.
Things Got Worse
On top of being unable to move, Annette also lost a lot of things. First, she lost her gloves, which could have saved her from the pain of frozen fingers. Second, she misplaced her phone, which was crucial in her situation since it could have changed the course of the story had she kept a better grip on it.
Another thing that worried Annette was the dogs. That is the first thing Annette thought about when she woke up. When she woke up, she realized that one dog was missing. Naturally, she went on looking for the missing third.
Annette's Love For The Dogs
Even though Annette was having a hard time with her situation, she still prioritized the missing pup. She didn’t realize that she was actually the lost one and that people were already searching for her. She only wanted to ensure that the dogs were safe.
With determination, she was able to drag herself through the woods. She was relieved to see the other dog. She had to bring this one back to its family, after all. Now that all the dogs were safe with her, she would return home. But she quickly realized that she was lost in the woods with no food or drink.
Hunger Hits
Annette intended to go for her morning stroll on that particular Monday. She assumed she would be home within less than an hour, so she didn't have any food or water with her. Aside from being stressed by their circumstances, Annette and the dogs were obviously hungry.
The only person who could look for food was Annette, but she was unable to do that. They needed to keep each other warm physically, but maintaining their mental fortitude was more crucial. You could say that Annette's dogs helped to keep her alive.
Did Annette Know People Were Looking for Them?
With all the commotion going on with the search, did Annette have any idea that people were looking for her? Is it possible that she heard the rescuers calling her name from afar? Annette gave her answers.
Apparently, Annette was aware that they were being searched for—the chopper was occasionally visible above. Annette claimed that she had tried her hardest to draw the attention of the people in the helicopter (waving her jacket, shouting at them) but without success.
Roxy's Barking
What did happen before they finally were found by the rescuers? Annette was found that day just as her strength and stamina were running low, and she felt she couldn't hold on for much longer. It seems they found her just in time. They were lucky.
Hearing people yelling for her, Annette started to reach for hope and gave it her all. One of the dogs, Roxy, started barking. Thanks to Roxy's loud barking, the rescuers were able to hone in on their location.
Their Location
The rescuers had a tough time finding them since the area where they were was off-limits to hikers. The rescuers, including Marcel, assumed Anette and the dogs would not have been there, assuming that she would have known better. But Anette had strayed in looking for the missing dog.
They were in a marshy basin. The dogs and Annette were all snuggled up in a large, deep hole in the ground. They had managed to find natural shelter to protect themselves against the worst of the storm’s downpour.
Annette and The Dog’s Situation
It’s horrifying to see the place where Annette and the dogs stayed before finally being rescued. Honestly, it looks like a place where no one can survive unless you strive hard to live. Regardless of how horrible their current condition was, Annette's dogs, who were with her at that moment, actually gave her the courage and sanity to continue living.
Annette recounted in one of her interviews, "I noticed one of the dogs was digging a hole to sleep in. [The undergrowth], it’s very spongy. It soaks up a lot of water. So she started sweeping away all the brush and everything to get down into the dirt and kind of made herself a little well to sleep in."
The Only Thing That Kept Her Warm
One of the three dogs, Roxie, shivered a lot on the days they went missing, so Annette lent the dog her coat. This sacrifice may well have kept her alive. They were all trying to do their part to help each other out of a bad situation.
In those woods, Annette and the dogs built a strong bond. They cared for her like a member of the pack. The dogs kept Annette safe while she checked on them to ensure they were alright—their devoted human under their watchful gaze.
Rescuing Annette and the Dogs
The three hard days of being alone in the woods were finally over. At this point, the rescuers took control and brought Annette to medical care. One of the concerns the rescuers had before beginning their expedition was the kind of injuries Annette might have suffered.
With the help of the helicopter, Annette and the dogs were finally lifted out of the woods. She was later able to reunite with his husband, who was longing for her return. The relief in the air must have been palpable.
Everyone’s Watching
Since Annette and the dogs’ story had been all over the local news, their actual rescue moment was captured by the media outlets. The crews managed to capture the heartwarming moment the dog barks were heard and when Annette was finally saved.
Meanwhile, family members were also present to support the couple in this emotional time. Those three days were awful, but they had finally come to an end. And what a fantastic conclusion—we couldn't have hoped for a better outcome.
The Wait Was Over
The weather that day wasn't that good, but nothing could stop the rescue team from finally bringing back Annette and the three dogs. Annette reached civilization in just 20 minutes, despite the powerful winds not letting up and the rain pouring down with all of its might. “What about the dogs?" Annette yelled.
Annette didn't seem very concerned about herself. She was more concerned about the dogs—worried about her three furry companions. Of course, they hadn’t been left behind. Two helicopters were also on the scene, saving them.
Everyone's Safe
What happened to Annette and the three dogs was terrifying. She was asked many questions about her situation in the wilderness—mainly how they survive in the woods without food. We can all agree it is a miracle that they were safe.
The dogs were reunited with their own families, and Annette was able to go back to normal life with her husband. Against all odds, they were all safe and recovering with their loved ones.
Inside Marcel's Heart
Marcel, although outwardly never showed a sign of losing hope, wasn't sure how things would turn out. He was heartbroken and torn. He knew in his heart that he would find his wife, but he couldn’t help but wonder if he would find her alive.
Marcel was thankful to the 300 rescuers who untiringly searched for his wife. He was aware that prayers alone would not help him, but he was able to accomplish an impossible task with their assistance. The couple expresses their gratitude to the rescuers right away for their help.
Three Dog Nights: The Search and Rescue of Annette Poitras
The story of Annette and the three dogs gained fame and popularity. She earned some notoriety in her neighborhood and is known as "The Dog Walker" by locals too. In addition, Anne Bruinn published their tale under the title "Three Dog Nights: The Search and Rescue of Annette Poitras."
Annette hoped many people like her would read this book and would learn from her story. She hopes that everyone takes precautions when hiking in natural areas. You never really know what lies around the next corner because life can change in a heartbeat.
Annette's Take on Her Experience
Although Annette incurred minor bruises and injuries and could live her life, she was still hit by a great deal of trauma from her experience. All the visible wounds may heal, but the anxiety of such a hardship remains long after.
Annette still suffers from the trauma and has nightmares of those three long days in the woods. One cannot deny that it would have been a difficult experience for anyone to survive, but she and the dogs managed to pull off the unexpected thanks to their willpower and teamwork.