On a cold, snowy morning in Pennsylvania, Christina Eyth stepped outside her home and noticed something unusual. Fresh paw prints, likely from a dog, led directly to her doorstep.
Following The Trail To An Unexpected Discovery
Curious and concerned, Christina decided to follow the trail to see where it led.
“I saw that there were dog prints that went up to my door like he was looking in for help,” Christina said.
The tracks took her to the basement entrance, and what she found there was heartbreaking. “That’s when I saw this poor animal. He looked so cold and was shivering,” Christina recalled.
There, curled up and trembling, was an animal freezing in the cold. But as Christina got closer, she realized she couldn’t quite tell what kind of creature it was.
An Uncertain But Urgent Need For Help
Despite her uncertainty about the animal’s identity, Christina’s priority was getting it out of the cold. She quickly brought the creature into her basement and offered food and water to help it recover.
Its skin was in poor condition, likely from mange, which made it harder to identify.
“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.
Seeking Help For The Mysterious Visitor
In search of answers, Christina posted a photo of the animal on a local message board. Soon, a volunteer from Tj’s Rescue Hideaway in Pennsylvania reached out.
Even the rescue team was unable to identify the animal immediately, 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.
Although the DNA results would take time, treatment began right away. The animal was extremely thin and suffering from advanced mange. Nervous and unsure around the staff, it needed gentle handling.
Then, something unexpected happened.
Just days after arriving at the facility, the unidentified animal managed to escape and disappeared. Despite efforts to locate it, it was never found again.
DNA Test Finally Reveals The Truth
When the DNA results finally came in, they confirmed the animal was a coyote. It had returned to its natural habitat in the wild.
Christina wasn’t upset by the news. She felt confident she had done the right thing.
“No matter the results of the test, I wouldn’t have changed anything I did to help him,” she said.