After a weeklong search, Athena, a 4-year-old German Shepherd and Husky mix, made her way back to her family in Green Cove Springs, Florida, just in time for Christmas Eve, and even rang the doorbell to announce her return.
Athena escaped her home on December 15, leaving her owner, Brooke Comer, and her family scrambling to find her. When they returned from church that day, a neighbour had sent a photo of Athena outside the house. Upon arriving home, they found Athena’s collar in her crate but no clear signs of how she had escaped.
Over the next week, Comer launched a widespread search, posting missing dog ads that prompted neighbours and residents from nearby towns to help. Reports of Athena sightings poured in, suggesting she had roamed nearly 20 miles during her adventure.
Despite receiving frequent updates about her dog’s location, Comer’s attempts to find Athena always fell short.
“She was the hide-and-seek all-time grand champion. With every sighting, my heart jumped. It was excitement followed by heartbreak because we were always one step behind”, Comer said.
Christmas eve miracle
The search came to a heartwarming end in the early hours of Christmas Eve. At 2.30 am (local time), Comer received a Ring doorbell notification, accompanied by barking from her other dog.
“I was kind of in a daze,” Comer recounted. “When I checked my phone, there she was, Athena, jumping at the door and ringing the doorbell”, Comer added.
Comer immediately opened the door, and Athena bolted inside, straight to her son, who was half-asleep on the couch. After greeting him with licks, Athena grabbed her ball, ready to play, before retreating to her cage for a well-earned rest.
Comer credited the support from neighbours and the larger community for helping her family remain hopeful throughout the ordeal. Athena’s next steps include a thorough veterinary exam, flea and tick treatments, and getting microchipped to ensure she can always find her way home.
“She’s back where she belongs, and this experience reminded us of the kindness of our community,” Comer said.