On March 17, a distressing call reached Hannah Riley while she was abroad: her cherished dog, Hazel, had vanished. “I kept asking, ‘You lost my dog?'” shared Riley, a 35-year-old media professional, with TODAY.com.
Riley had welcomed Hazel, a petite 11-pound Papillon, into her life six years prior, upon her arrival in Atlanta, adopting her from the Atlanta Humane Center. Hazel had been her support through a challenging divorce two years earlier. “Hazel holds a unique place in my heart, unlike any other dog I’ve loved before,” she expressed.
The unfortunate incident occurred under the care of Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency, where Hazel had been taken after ingesting her petsitter’s legal weed gummies. Acting responsibly, the petsitter had rushed her to the emergency vet. However, a lapse in protocol led to a staff member taking Hazel out unleashed in an unfenced area, resulting in her escape.
Upon returning to Atlanta, Riley, accompanied by a police officer, demanded to see the surveillance footage of Hazel’s escape at the vet, only to be denied access, though the officer was permitted to view it.
“I’m left without the full story,” Riley lamented.
Thrive Pet Healthcare, in a statement to TODAY.com, expressed gratitude for the community’s efforts in searching for Hazel and offered ongoing support to her family during this time.
Riley, facing the daunting highways encircling the vet’s office, feared the worst. “It was a nightmare scenario: a disoriented dog with impaired vision, barely able to walk straight, with a catheter in her leg,” she recounted.
Yet, hope was not lost. The internet rallied in support, with strangers, locals, and friends joining the search for Hazel. Riley’s background in organizing and communications played a crucial role in garnering attention for her cause.
Assistance came in various forms. Friends plastered missing posters around the city, a friend from Boston compiled a list of every Atlanta shelter, and Robin Allgood, a professional dog hunter, lent her expertise.
“The outpouring of support from strangers in Atlanta, many of whom I’ll never meet, was incredibly touching,” Riley said.
The search efforts gained momentum online, with “Hazel” trending on Twitter and Google searches for “missing dog Hazel” spiking. Local media coverage followed.
Riley dedicated a week to tracking down Hazel, sifting through numerous leads and tips. Eventually, a man rescued Hazel from highway traffic and handed her to a woman he believed was the owner, only for Hazel to go missing again.
Despite the emotional toll and cruel pranks from some, the collective support provided Riley with some comfort, even when she feared the worst.
Miraculously, five days later, an unexpected reunion with Hazel occurred. A text message from an unknown number brought the news Riley had been longing for. Hazel had appeared on a family’s doorstep in Decatur, Georgia, and was recognized from a news article about her disappearance.
Reunited, Riley found Hazel three pounds lighter and full of untold adventures. “Despite her age, heart murmur, poor vision, and small size, Hazel’s survival amazed me. I had underestimated her resilience,” Riley reflected.
Sharing the joyful news online, Riley was moved by the shared happiness and relief from those who had followed Hazel’s story. “The overwhelming response and joy from people who cried happy tears upon hearing the news is profoundly touching. It’s an honor to share a story that brings hope and happiness to others, reminding them of the victories in life. Hazel’s return is a testament to the incredible impact of community support,” Riley concluded.