Missing Algonquin dog, Wrigley, found safe after 15 days
For 12-year-old Wrigley, a Brittany spaniel/Labrador retriever mix, Wednesday - National Dog Day - certainly was her day.
Missing for 15 days and the object of a massive, multi-community search, Wrigley was found safe in Crystal Lake, said owner Terri Templin of Algonquin.
The family had been looking nonstop for Wrigley since she went missing Aug. 11.
"It was horrible," Templin said. "This is all we have done."
Wrigley ran away after being spooked by the sound of a nail gun of a contractor working at the Templins' home.
"At the beginning, she was within a mile from our house," Templin said. "We had 55 to 60 people physically see her either in their front yard, backyard or crossing the street."
Templin posted fliers throughout her neighborhood, in surrounding neighborhoods and on a community garage sale site.
"It blew up," she said, adding that the family was contacted by hundreds of people offering support in the days after. "Most of the people that were mainly involved in this search, we had never met before. I just can't believe how many people were trying to help us."
The "Bring Wrigley Home" Facebook page and the Lost Dogs of Illinois website and Facebook page also generated many tips and shares, Templin added.
Any time a tip came in, Templin and her husband, Jeff, would go to the neighborhood and talk to every person walking a dog, running or just outside.
Wrigley was spotted in Carpentersville, West Dundee, Lake in the Hills and, finally, Crystal Lake, where ultimately she was found.
"Like every other day, I received a call this morning at 6:40 a.m.," Templin said.
Templin said the caller said he nearly hit a dog while driving to work. When he pulled over and attempted to call the dog, it ran into the woods near Rakow and Virginia roads.
The man's wife knew of Wrigley being missing from someone sharing a Facebook post. "Everybody knows about this dog," Templin said.
The Templins spent several hours looking for Wrigley in the area. With the help of a Crystal Lake animal lover who had experience helping people find their lost pets, they finally found Wrigley hiding in the dense woods.
"As I was calling out for her, she ran and jumped up on me," Templin said. "The community, we owe them. We have just been overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone."