On a frigid, snowy morning in Pennsylvania, Christina Eyth stepped outside and noticed a curious pattern in the fresh snow.
Paw prints, small but distinct, led straight to her front door.
Following The Clues To A Chilling Surprise
Intrigued and worried, Christina followed the trail to see where it would end.
“I saw that there were dog prints that went up to my door like he was looking in for help,” Christina said.
The footprints guided her to the basement entrance, where she discovered a heartbreaking sight.
“That’s when I saw this poor animal. He looked so cold and was shivering,” Christina recalled.
Curled up and shivering, an animal crouched against the cold, its frailty apparent. As Christina approached, she realized she couldn’t immediately tell what species it was.
Urgency Over Uncertainty
Even without knowing exactly what she was dealing with, Christina prioritized the animal’s immediate safety.
She brought it inside to her basement, offering food and water to help it regain warmth and strength.
Its skin was in poor condition, likely suffering from mange, which made identification even more difficult.
“I wasn’t completely sure, but he never showed signs of aggression. I just saw an animal in need of help and wanted to help him,” Christina said.
Calling In Experts
Seeking guidance, Christina shared a photo of the mysterious visitor on a local message board. A volunteer from Tj’s Rescue Hideaway in Pennsylvania quickly responded.
The rescue team, too, struggled at first to determine the animal’s species, but they knew it required immediate care.
“Maria [the group’s organizer] and her team came out and were able to catch him without hurting him at all. [They] transported him to Wildlife Works-Mount Pleasant to get treatment and testing done to confirm what he is,” Christina said.
Despite DNA testing taking time, treatment began without delay.
The animal was severely underweight, suffering from advanced mange, and wary of human contact, requiring gentle handling.
Then, unexpectedly, the animal escaped just days after arriving at the facility. Despite extensive searches, it vanished and was never recovered.
The Truth Comes To Light
When the DNA results finally arrived, they confirmed what many had suspected: the animal was a coyote. It had returned to the wild, back to its natural home.
Christina felt no regret. She knew she had acted with compassion and given the creature the help it needed, even if only briefly.
“No matter the results of the test, I wouldn’t have changed anything I did to help him,” she said.