Missing Pet Dog Returns Home on Its Own and Rings the Doorbell... "A Christmas Miracle"

Estimated to Have Traveled 32km Round Trip Over 9 Days

A story of a dog missing for over a week in Florida, USA, miraculously returning to its family on Christmas Eve has touched many hearts.

Athena pressing the doorbell at Mr. Comer’s house. AP News footage capture

On the 28th (local time), the AP reported that the Comer family, living in Green Cove Springs, Florida, found their lost pet dog. On the 14th, the Comer family lost their dog Athena. Athena was a four-year-old female, a mix of German Shepherd and Husky.

At the time, the Comer family was going out to church when they received a call from a neighbor saying Athena was outside the house. Shocked, Comer immediately rushed home, but only found Athena’s collar in a box and could not find her anywhere.

The Comer family made every effort to find Athena. Neighbors also helped by sending photos or videos of places where Athena might be after seeing the missing dog flyers distributed by the family. However, Athena was not found at any of the reported locations, and the family was repeatedly disappointed. Comer said, "My heart raced and I was excited going to the places I was tipped off about, but then my heart broke," adding, "Athena was the all-time grand champion of hide-and-seek."

As the missing period exceeded a week, worries grew that something might have happened to Athena. Then, a 'Christmas miracle' happened to the Comer family. In the early morning of Christmas Eve, the 24th, Athena found her way back home on her own. Around 2:30 a.m. on the 24th, Comer heard the doorbell and checked the front door video through a security app connected to his phone. There was Athena jumping and pressing the doorbell. As soon as Comer opened the door, Athena ran inside, licked the face of his son who was dozing on the sofa, played with a ball, and then went into her cage to sleep.

Based on the contacts he received over the past nine days, it is estimated that Athena traveled nearly 32 km back and forth during the time she was away from home. Comer expressed his gratitude to the local residents who helped a lot in finding Athena.