A Florida family received an unexpected Christmas miracle when their missing dog returned home and rang the doorbell to announce her arrival after being lost for nine days.
Athena, a 4-year-old German Shepherd and Husky mix, mysteriously disappeared from her Green Cove Springs home on December 15th while her family was at church. Her escape puzzled her owners, who found her collar in her crate but no obvious exit point.
For over a week, owner Brooke Comer and her family conducted extensive searches across multiple towns, following up on community sightings and tips. Based on reported sightings, Athena had traveled nearly 20 miles during her adventure.
The family's worries finally ended at 2:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve when their Ring doorbell camera captured Athena pawing at the front door. The footage shows the clever canine repeatedly jumping up to trigger the doorbell.
"I was in a daze when I heard that ring. Looking at my phone, I could see Athena jumping at the door," Comer said. Upon entering, the dog immediately greeted Comer's half-asleep son with enthusiastic licks before grabbing her favorite ball to play.
The search effort united the community, with neighbors and residents from as far as Jacksonville and Saint Augustine joining the hunt. Many spent hours reviewing doorbell camera footage and sharing possible sightings.
While Athena appears healthy after her ordeal, her personality shows one notable change. "She has not stopped whining or howling since she's come home. She's definitely found her voice now," Comer noted.
The family plans to have Athena microchipped and given full medical care, including flea and tick treatments, to prevent future disappearances.