Dog Lost For 2 Weeks Discovered Tired But Alive In New Jersey Swamp

If you’ve ever had your dog escape a pen or run out the front door for even just a second, you know the sinking feeling that hits your gut when you realize your best friend might be lost.

So when Jim and Marie Zangara’s Golden Retriever, Chunk, went missing for two whole weeks, those 14 days and nights were excruciating.

Image: Facebook / Marie Puzio Zangara

Chunk Hits The Road

Chunk ran away on June 6 while enjoying some beachy fun with his folks in the seaside town of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey.

Marie told NJ.com that Chunk is “on the shy side” and that he probably got confused on a busy day with lots of people and boats in the area.

“He was running into the water to chase the toy and instead of returning he turned and ran off into a marshy area,” she said. “He normally likes to stay close to us.”

Over the course of the next two weeks, he was sighted multiple times by people who reported it to authorities. But Chunk was having too much fun to end his excursion and refused to come to the humans calling him.

Image: Facebook / Marie Puzio Zangara

Spotted And Rescued

Jim Mathis was in his fishing boat on June 22 when two joggers passing through the area reported seeing Chunk to New Jersey State Police. They tried to get Chunk to come to them, but he wouldn’t.

“They [hikers who first spotted Chunk] started waving at me,” Mathis told ABC7-New York. “I came close to him, and he kept trying to back away from the boat. Once I backed off, he started to swim toward land.”

Finally, with New Jersey State Police on the scene in their own boat to help, they were able to lasso the pooch and guide him to shore. Meanwhile, Mathis had a chance to check Chunk’s collar and notify the Zangaras that he was found.

A Long Two Weeks

Marie and Jim were naturally, and obviously, shaken by the whole ordeal.

Image: Facebook/ Marie Puzio Zangara

Marie’s thoughts were the same as many of ours would be if we lost our dog.

“Your mind starts to think, did he get hit by a car, in the woods dying?” she said.

“This past week has been tough,” Marie told NJ.com after the rescue. “No one had seen him since the eighth day he was missing. I was worried maybe he had gotten hit by a car or was off in the woods where we couldn’t find him or someone had grabbed him.”

Reunited And It Feels So Good

And though Zangara said Chunk had lost almost 20 pounds and was covered in ticks, he was otherwise a happy, healthy boy.

The State Police were also glad to have helped and were excited to see Chunk reunited with his family.

In a Facebook post, New Jersey State Police said, “Needless to say, he was ecstatic to be reunited with his grateful owners.”

Image: Facebook / New Jersey State Police

What If My Dog Goes Missing?

We have some tips for you if the unthinkable does happen and your doggo runs off, as well as things you can do to help bring them back home.

And don’t forget about the ordeal Chunk went through to get home, as well as another road warrior who was discovered 900 miles away from home. If they can do it, so can your canine.

H/T: NJ.com

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Teen Dives Into Lake To Rescue Stranger’s Shih Tzu From Drowning

It was a normal trip to Penllergare Valley Woods in Wales for Jane Warner and her pup, Charlie — until things took a near-tragic turn. 

While relaxing by the lake, Charlie noticed some ducks and decided to chase them. This led him right into the lake, and there was one major problem: Charlie isn’t the best swimmer. 

When he made his way into the deep lake, the Shih Tzu started to get caught up in the reeds. Warner began to panic; being disabled, she had no way to swim out there herself to help her dog. That’s when an unexpected hero jumped into action. 

Image: Jane Warner/ Facebook

Seventeen-year-old Connor Telford was nearby and noticed the dog beginning to sink in the water. He kicked off his shoes and instantly jumped in, paddling out to save Charlie’s life. 

“Before I knew what was going on, Connor had dived in,” Warner said. “By which time there was no sign of Charlie at all — he’d gone completely under.”

Luckily, Telford was in the right place at the right time. He scooped Charlie up in his arms and led him back to shore safe and sound. 

The behavior was unexpected for Charlie, who usually doesn’t show interest in birds, Warner said. But just as quickly as Charlie got into trouble, Telford was right there to come to his rescue. 

Image: Jane Warner/ Facebook

“It was only the second time I’d taken Charlie to Penllergare Valley Woods, and the first time round he’d shown no interest in the ducks whatsoever,” Warner told Wales Online. “But on this occasion, he jumped in the lake to paddle after them, but I knew he had no chance of catching any – those birds were giving him the proper runaround.”

Warner was so thankful for Telford because otherwise, Charlie may not have made it out of the ordeal alive. 

“I’ve no doubt in my mind that had Connor not got to him right then he’d have died,” Warner said. “And the poor lad himself was also quite shaken up afterward. I think it had been a tougher swim than he’d expected and I’m really grateful to him for risking his own safety the way he did.”

Image: Jane Warner/ Facebook

After the daring rescue, Warner posted about it on social media in hopes of reconnecting with Telford to tell him how truly thankful she was for all of his efforts to save Charlie. Her post was shared thousands of times online, and luckily Warner was able to give Telford a proper thank you. 

Dozens of people rallied behind Telford, too, to tell him just how much his heroic efforts were appreciated.

“Without this lad and you all clapping and cheering him to keep him fighting then I’d be telling a very different story,” Warner posted on Facebook. “Thank you all, so much.”

H/T: The Animal Club

Featured Image: Jane Warner/ Facebook

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New Police Therapy Pup Named For Beloved Trooper Killed In The Line Of Duty

A new extra hairy officer will soon join the Bellevue Nebraska Police force. A dog, that is. His name is “Pawfficer Mo,” honoring a fallen Colorado State trooper, Will Moden.

The adorable Goldendoodle puppy will eventually become a certified therapy dog. He’ll be there to offer emotional support to officers and citizens during emergencies, community outreach events, and more. It’s hard to think of a sweeter dedication to a beloved late officer.

@BellevuePolice/Twitter

How Mo Got His Job And Name

Midwest Puppy, LLC, ‘Doodle breeders in Nebraska, donated Mo to the department, and the local Walmart covered his training and puppy-related expenses. His work with the police department will really help the community.

Officer Ashley Meyers of the Bellevue police explained Mo’s duties:

“He’s going to be going to schools when he’s certified, and hopefully getting kids to open up and talk. And, we’re also planning on having the detectives use him for interviews with victims.”

@midwestpuppys/Facebook

Goldendoodles, Golden Retriever/Poodle mixes, have some of the best traits of both dogs. With their friendly and agreeable personalities and curly fluff, they make excellent therapy dogs. I mean, I feel better just looking at his little face.

Officer Meyers told WOWT news little Mo is already living up to his namesake, her friend Will Moden.

“I was a Colorado State Trooper before I came here and my friend Will Moden passed away on June 14, 2019. He was struck by a vehicle while investigating a crash. Will was a larger than life kind of person, he loved helping people and he really loved his job.”

@bellevuepolice/Facebook

Thriving From Day One

New to the department, Mo naturally crushed it from his first day. Sgt. John McDaniel noted how much joy the little dog brings to everyone at work:

“He’s pretty awesome, pretty awesome. It gives officers a mental break from the stress of our day-to-day operations, so he’s a welcome addition.”

Meet Mo, the newest member of the ⁦@BellevuePolice Department⁩. The 8-week-old Goldendoodle begins training next week to become a certified therapy dog. ⁦@WOWT6News⁩ pic.twitter.com/dtyKC1Sm3u

— Tara Campbell (@CampTara) June 29, 2021

Of course, he still needs to go through training to become an official therapy dog, but it seems like he certainly has what it takes. When asked where Mo will be living, the Police Department responded:

“Mo will live the farm/family dog life when he’s off duty. He joins 2 doggy brothers, 2 human sisters, horses, chickens, and some barn kitties. Mo has really liked Barbara the Chicken, playing with his sisters, and is settling into his new life wonderfully!”

I’ll bet Officer Moden would be pleased to see this new addition to the force.

H/T: KDVR
Featured Image: @BellevuePolice/Twitter

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Hospitalized Man Reunites With Lost Dog After Bear Attack

When most dogs go missing, their humans usually drive around day and night to find them, but Jason Umbriaco didn’t have that option. He survived a bear attack, but was rushed to the hospital shortly after. During the horrific situation, his Border Collie puppy named Buckley ran off in fear.

Since Umbriaco was unable to leave the hospital to look for Buckley himself, other dog lovers reached out to help. In the end, a kind hospital employee was able to locate the lost pup. It was a miracle for Umbriaco, who is doing much better since the tragic bear attack.

Image: Bonnie Nichols Facebook

No Match for a Bear

Montana native Umbriaco was hiking in Alaska with 14-week-old Buckley. While they were in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, they encountered a brown bear with her cubs. Umbriaco said that before he could think, the bear charged toward him and bit him on the arm. In a panic, he jumped into the nearby Kenai River, but the bear followed.

“In almost any other circumstance and in probably this circumstance, it was a terrible option, but that was the one I had,” Umbriaco said. “And then she reaches down and then bites me on the shoulder.”

Image: Screenshot, alaskasnewssource.com

Luckily, the bear ran away after two bites, but Umbriaco was left in immense pain. He tried calling for Buckley, but the dog was nowhere to be seen. So, Umbriaco made his way back to the truck to call for help. The whole time, he had bear spray on him, but it all happened so fast that he hadn’t gotten a chance to use it.

He was rushed to the hospital right away, but he couldn’t stop worrying about his lost pup. In 2008, he suffered from a traumatic brain injury. He said that every dog he’s had since then has helped him cope with it, so it was difficult being separated from his furry friend.

Image: Screenshot, alaskasnewssource.com

One Magical Facebook Post

At the hospital, Umbriaco told employee Bonnie Nichols about the missing dog. Nichols offered to help, making a Facebook post about Buckley, which was quickly shared to several lost dog groups.

“I said ‘Listen, Alaskans love dogs, so if you can just text me a picture of your dog and a general location, I’ll put it out on Facebook and it’ll be shared,’” Nichols said.

Image: Screenshot, alaskasnewssource.com

On the same day as the bear attack, a woman named Wendie Wilson spotted Buckley on the hiking trails. His collar must’ve come off during all the commotion, so she assumed he was a stray. She took him with her and cared for him to make sure he stayed healthy. The next day, Wilson saw a post on Facebook about Buckley and knew she had found the lost dog.

Umbriaco is so grateful for all the people who helped bring him and Buckley back together. In the hospital, he began to fear the worst, but now, everything is okay for the duo again. Umbriaco said he still plans to go hiking with the pup, but they will take extra precautions from now on.

H/T: alaskasnewssource.com
Featured Image: Bonnie Nichols Facebook

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas Has 3 Tattoos Dedicated To Her Dogs

Everyone who’s ever loved a dog knows that love is permanent, even if your time with them isn’t. Many people choose to symbolize this forever love with something a little longer-lasting: tattoos. This ink on skin serves as an artistic tribute and a regular reminder of a fur kid.

Recently the world learned that Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas has three tiny paw-print ankle tattoos, each dedicated to one of her (and husband Nick Jonas’) dogs. Hubby/pop singer Jonas posted a photo of his wife’s tattoos to his Instagram story, taking care to tag each of their dogs too: Diana the Chihuahua, Gino the German Shepherd, and Panda the blue and brown-eyed Shepherd/Husky mix.

@nickjonas/Instagram

The dogs each have their own Instagram accounts with more followers than an average person could ever expect to gain: @diariesofdiana, @ginothegerman, and @pandathepunk. These accounts are regularly updated with plenty of photos of the pups individually and hanging with their fur siblings and famous parents. 

Jonas once joked to People about their dogs’ active social media lives:

“We like to see our kids succeed out there in the world having all the experiences they should. We’re stage parents, basically!”

No matter how famous you are, a dog lover is a dog lover. They may be tiny, but the tattoos are a cute way to show how much this love means.

@diariesofdiana/Instagram

A Pack Of Five

These five make such a loving, happy family… or should I say pack? Jonas told People:

“It’s really special, the connection we have to our dogs, and animals and pets. It’s kind of this inexplicable thing that I think is really profound.”

Chopra and Jonas have been married since 2018, with Diana already belonging to Chopra before their marriage. Gino joined the family as an anniversary present. The couple adopted Panda and introduced him to the world in 2020.

@pandathepunk/Instagram

Raising three dogs isn’t easy, but those who have a family this size tend to agree it’s worth the effort. You’ll have to follow all of the Instagram accounts for the latest pupdates.

@ginothegerman/Instagram

For those seeking some inspiration, check out this list of incredible tattoos inspired by dogs. If ink isn’t really your thing, you might be interested in these other ways to honor a dog, living or not.

Whether it’s with tiny paw print tattoos or framed photo collages, every dog deserves to be remembered.

H/T: People
Featured Image:@nickjonas/Instagram

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A Human Cut Out His Tongue, But This Adoptable Pup Still Gives Kisses

Heart the Pit Bull got his name for his lovely, kind-hearted demeanor. He adores every human he meets, but as it turns out, humans weren’t always nice to him. Someone found the innocent Pit Bull wandering the streets of Philadelphia. They said he was disoriented, covered in puncture wounds, and missing his tongue. So, the kind soul rushed the ill canine to ACCT Philly, which is the only open-admission shelter in the city.

Now, Heart has recovered and is looking for a special forever home to give him the love he deserves.

Image: Sarah Barnett Facebook

Heart’s Second Chance

Once he arrived at ACCT Philly, vets examined Heart’s health. Sadly, they discovered that his tongue had been deliberately cut out, and it likely happened recently. His puncture wounds seem to be from dogs, so Heart is very scared when he walks past unfamiliar canines. Yet, he still has plenty of faith in humans.

Sarah Barnett, the director of development and communications at ACCT Philly, said this is one of the worst cases of abuse the shelter has seen. Still, she reminds others that instead of questioning why someone would do something so horrible, they should focus on the dog’s future instead. So, Barnett got to work on trying to find a foster home for Heart. But it wasn’t easy.

Image: Sarah Barnett Facebook

“There were no fosters available anywhere. Every rescue is struggling to find fosters right now since many of the people who fostered in 2020 now want to be out taking vacations,” Barnett said.

So, with the help of donations from PAWS and ACCT Philly’s Yoda Fund, Barnett was able to foster Heart herself. Barnett has experience working with special needs dogs, and she knew Heart would have some challenges, but she was determined to help him in any way she could.

Image: Sarah Barnett Facebook

In Need of a Loving Home

The biggest challenge Heart faced in his foster home was eating. Without a tongue, the food would often fall out of his mouth and make a mess when he tried to eat. After lots of trial and error, Barnett learned that he could eat just fine if given dry food in a raised bowl. Now, Heart is able to eat all on his own, but he often needs someone to clean up after him.

All of Heart’s wounds are fully healed now, so he’s looking for the family of his dreams. Barnett thinks he would do best in a home with no other pets, where he can have lots of space to run around and play. He’s not picky about humans though, and he even adores children. So, Barnett is shocked that no one has scooped up the sweet pup yet.

Image: Sarah Barnett Facebook

“He’s going to need somebody who’s going to be a leader for him and be his rock — basically help him continue to learn the world’s not super scary,” Barnett said. “What’s remarkable to me, given what he’s been through, is that he’s not even remotely scared of people. Everybody who comes by, he’s very thrilled about.”

Without a tongue, Heart will likely get hot much faster than other dogs since he can’t fully pant. But despite his special needs, he’s a wonderful dog who will give his humans all the love in the world. He even cuddles and tries to give kisses, which for him means he just likes to nuzzle his face against someone. It’s the sweetest thing ever!

Image: Sarah Barnett Facebook

If you think Heart could be the dog for you, apply to adopt him today! The shelter welcomes applicants outside of Pennsylvania as well.

H/T: people.com
Featured Image: Sarah Barnett Facebook

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Lost Dog Rings Her Own Doorbell At 3am After Crazy Adventure

Dogs are often smarter than we think, and they sometimes surprise us in ways we don’t expect. When Rajah the 18-month-old pup was spooked by fireworks, she ran as far from home as possible. Her family worried about her for over seven hours, fearing that they’d never find her.

Yet, Rajah surprised her family with a human-like action. After a day of crazy adventures, Rajah knew it was time to return home. She rang the doorbell of her own home, excited to tell her family all about her exciting day of exploring.

Image: Mary Lynn Whitacre Facebook

An Unexpected Adventure

Ryan Washick and Mary Lynn Whitacre were panicked when they lost Raja. The pup was resting peacefully in the yard until she heard the scariest noise of her life. Their neighbors set off fireworks, sending Rajah racing away. Somehow, she scaled the family’s fence at 5 p.m. and made a run for it. Luckily, their other dog stayed put.

Rajah is a fast pup, so she was nowhere to be seen. Ryan and Mary Lynn gathered friends and family to help them with the search. They drove around the area and even walked over six miles on foot. Yet, their night of searching was fruitless.

Image: Mary Lynn Whitacre Facebook

“Ryan and I were freaking out and we felt really helpless,” said Mary Lynn.

So, the couple went to bed with broken hearts. It was one of the scariest nights of their lives, but it looked like there was nothing they could do. However, after going to bed, the unthinkable happened. Someone approached their door and rang the doorbell. It was someone who knew their home better than anyone.

Image: Screenshot, SWNS YouTube

Don’t Underestimate Dogs

Ryan said he heard scratching on the front door at about 3 a.m. Then, the doorbell rang and the camera picked up footage of a dog ringing the doorbell with their nose. Rajah was home! She knew exactly what to do in the situation, which was shocking to both Ryan and Mary Lynn.

“I don’t even know how she knew how to do that, I’ve never shown her how,” Mary Lynn said. “She doesn’t go out in the front yard, except to the car, so she’s never seen us use the doorbell.”

Image: Screenshot, SWNS YouTube

When they let Rajah inside, they said she cowered as if she was afraid she’d be in trouble. So, her parents assured her that they weren’t mad at all. They’re just happy that she’s back safe and sound. It seemed like Rajah had quite the exciting adventure without her family though.

“She had thorns on her and seemed to have rolled in poop,” Mary Lynn said. “So, it seems like she had a great time.”

Image: Mary Lynn Whitacre Facebook

We never know when our dogs will surprise us. After all, the family explained that they’d only lived in their current home for about a month. So, that proves sweet Rajah really is a genius!

Watch the Doorbell Footage Here:

H/T: aol.co.uk
Featured Image: Screenshot, SWNS YouTube

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