Maverick the boxer is missing

RATHDRUM — The last time Marisa Watson saw her dog, Maverick, she was ringing in 2016 with her family.

But the New Year's joy quickly faded.

Watson's 11-month-old boxer ran away after being frightened by fireworks. Now, Watson and her family are offering a no-questions-asked $1,000 reward for the safe return of their sweet-tempered canine.

"Of course he means that much to us," said Watson, 24, of Hayden. "He's our baby."

Maverick disappeared from Watson’s parents’ 10-acre property near State Highway 53 and Sitka Road in Rathdrum around 11 p.m. New Year's Eve. Several possible boxer sightings were reported from Jan. 1-6 in Rathdrum City Park and Thayer Park as well as at Mill Road, Canal Street, Coeur d'Alene Street, Third Street, Atlas Road and Camrose Lane in Rathdrum. The last sighting was on Saturday near the bridge at State Highway 54 and U.S. Highway 95 in Athol. However, none of these sightings have been verified, so the canine could be anywhere.

"It's kind of hard because none of our family have seen him, so we're just going off what other people say," Watson said. "We've had some reports of a boxer playing with other dogs and playing with children at the bus stop. One lady that tried to get him into the car opened her door and he almost got in but he got spooked by another car driving by."

Maverick joined Watson's family when he was 8 weeks old. She said they had another dog, Maverick's "older sister," who died just a month after they got the puppy.

"We've had a lot of loss in the dog realm," she said, adding it has been a nonstop search since Maverick disappeared. "We're just really trying to get him back ... we just want our lives back to normal."

Marisa's mom, Nola Watson, said they suspect someone may have taken Maverick, who is an unaltered purebred. The family hopes anyone who notices a new boxer in their neighborhood will call right away, or if someone does have Maverick that they will see all the postings on social media and the newspaper articles and will have the heart to give him back.

She said Maverick really means a lot to her daughter.

"She just donated a kidney to her dad, and this was her dog," Nola said. "We just need the dog back."

Marisa said Maverick is social, friendly and loves kids, but is wary of adults and is skittish since running away. Marisa said the best thing someone could do if he is found is stay with him until she or one of her family members arrives to retrieve him.

Maverick is fawn, or light-yellowish-tan in color and his entire face is black. He has four white paws, a white chest and a small amount of white on his chin and nose. He has a short snout and may be wearing a lime green collar with tags. The well-loved canine may appear emaciated from his time on the streets.

To report information leading to Maverick's whereabouts, call 755-6044 or 771-5667. People can also post sightings and connect with the family on the Finding Missing Maverick-Rathdrum, Idaho, Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BringMaverickHome.

Anyone who has Maverick can take him to Rathdrum Animal Clinic, 6499 Commercial Park Ave. No. 1.