On December 15, Athena, a 4-year-old German Shepherd-Husky mix, escaped her home in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Her disappearance left her owners, the Comer family, in a state of panic. Despite no visible signs of how she got out, Athena managed to escape, sparking a massive search effort involving neighbors and surrounding communities.
A Community-Wide Search
The Comer family and local residents rallied together to find Athena. Missing dog ads led to numerous tips and sightings across towns, with reports suggesting she traveled nearly 20 miles during her weeklong adventure.
At every sighting, Athena proved elusive. “She was the hide-and-seek all-time grand champion,” said her owner, Brooke Comer. Despite the family’s quick responses, they were always one step behind.
A Christmas Miracle
The search came to a heartwarming end at 2:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve when Brooke received a Ring video doorbell notification. Her other dog’s barking alerted her to check the footage, where she saw Athena at the door, jumping and ringing the bell.
Brooke rushed to the door, and Athena bolted inside, greeting the family with excitement. She immediately licked her son’s face, grabbed her favorite ball, and happily settled back into her routine.
Gratitude and Plans for the Future
Brooke expressed immense gratitude to the community for their support during the ordeal. The family plans to take extra precautions, including microchipping Athena and updating her flea and tick treatments.
“This experience showed us the power of hope and community,” Brooke said.