Gigi of Great Meadows, NJ decided to turn an ordinary walk into a full blown adventure, slipping away while dragging her six foot lead and heading straight into the dense woods. From there, she navigated neighborhoods sticking to woods and popping out mostly at night to scan porches and properties, clearly on the lookout for something familiar… or at least something warm.
Gigi developed quite the routine. Her travel circle was large and growing by the day, crossing power lines and expanding just a little more each day. Last night, while a trap was set, we had multiple sightings at one home and rushed to move it… only to watch Gigi promptly appear at the exact spot we had just moved it from. Touché, Gigi. She was clearly playing chess while we were playing checkers.
After multiple all nighters monitoring traps and cameras, today brought fresh sightings across the way from her home, where she was running the woods and through horse farms. Her dad tried to lure her, but being in full flight mode, Gigi hit the gas and disappeared back into the woods. Another trap was set and no sooner did I make it home than Gigi appeared on her family’s Ring camera… at her own house.
I asked her mom where she was positioned on the property. “By the side door,” she said. I told her to quietly open it and see what happened. And just like that, Gigi came barreling into the house wiggly, happy, and absolutely thrilled to be home, as if nothing at all had happened.
After four frigid, nerve-wracking days on the run, Gigi is finally home, warm, safe, and sound just in time for Christmas.
This is exactly why we always recommend keeping a dedicated feeding station at the point of escape. Dogs will often return home on their own if they aren’t chased or pursued, following instinct and familiarity right back to where it all began.
We are beyond thrilled that this nightmare is finally over. Endless thanks to the residents on Hanzel Woods Drive, Hillcrest, and Quenby Mountain for their kindness, patience, and for allowing us to use their properties. And a special thank-you to Animal Control Officer Bonnie Waseleski, my constant partner in crime when working cases in her in her jurisdiction.
Welcome home, Gigi.
Merry Christmas.
