When a dog goes missing, it is devastating for the family left behind. One moment a pet is at your side, and the next they vanish without a trace, leaving a hole in daily life and constant worry.
Dogs can be easily distracted or frightened and then lose their way. Families often comb neighborhood streets and check local shelters, holding on to hope that their companion will be found.
This was what happened to a family in Pennsylvania when their dog Bree slipped away and remained missing for a long time.
The Dog Runs Away
When Bree’s owners, Susan and Mervyn Lege, brought her to a local groomer in Pennsylvania, they expected a routine appointment and a quick return home.
Everything seemed normal until a staff member opened a door to take towels to the laundry area. In that instant Bree bolted out of the building and vanished into the surrounding area.
She ran off so fast that Susan could not reach her, no matter how loudly she called. They tried to follow, but Bree moved too quickly for them to keep up. The family became frantic as hours turned into days with no sign of their dog.
Their dog had run away, and repeated searches produced no leads. They looked everywhere they could think of, but nothing panned out. Something needed to be done.
So they contacted Central Pennsylvania Pet Recovery and asked Shannon Cohan to help. She agreed, and they looked for her for months.
Sometimes, on occasion, somebody would spot Bree, but they couldn’t catch her. It looked like she was really scared of anyone she didn’t know, and so she would just always run away.
The trail grew cold at times, and the long stretches without news felt crushing for the family.
Relentless Efforts Finally Bring Joy
Time went by, and the sightings stopped. The owners began to fear the worst, assuming Bree may have been attacked by coyotes or hunters in the area.
Shannon did not give up, though. She relentlessly continued her search for Bree, and her efforts paid off.
After sixteen months of searching, she finally found her. They lured her in with a humane trap, and she was finally secured.
Now that Bree was safe, Shannon called the owner immediately. Susan was over the moon to hear this, and she went to see her dog immediately.
Bree had to stay for a few days in an animal hospital until the vets were sure that she was okay. After that, they discharged her and she was finally able to see her family.
After they were reunited, things felt like old times for the family. Susan noted that Bree hadn’t changed and was still the same dog as she was before.
They are happy to have her back. This story shows us that we should never give up hope, even when things get difficult.