On December 15th, Brooke Comer returned to her Florida home after church to find that her four-year-old German shepherd-husky mix Athena had mysteriously disappeared from her crate, with no visible way she could have gotten out. The family spent more than a week searching for the dog, but couldn’t find her. Then, on Christmas Eve, they got a ring at their front door and discovered Athena had returned home, to the family’s delight.
During the search for her, the community rallied to help. Neighbors and residents of nearby towns responded to the missing dog ads with photos and videos of possible sightings. Though Comer and her family pursued each lead, they were always one step behind Athena, who traveled nearly 20 miles during her escapade. Every sighting brought her owner feelings of both hope and heartbreak.
When Comer received a notification from her doorbell camera on Christmas Eve showing Athena jumping at the door, she quickly let her in and the pup joyfully greeted the family before settling back into her crate. She called Athena the “hide-and-seek all-time grand champion” and plans to make sure she stays safe in the future by getting her microchipped. Comer expressed deep gratitude for the support her family received, saying the experience filled her with hope.
