NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Lots of pets and head scratches are in order for Bree, the mini goldendoodle.
Her owners Susan and Mervin Liegey of Montandon reunited with their dog after 16 months apart.
The Liegeys say Bree made her escape from their dog groomer in Selinsgrove back in October of 2022.
"They were done grooming and the groomer opened the door to take towels over to the laundry and she bolted out the door. I saw her bolt, I called to her, and she kept right on going," said Susan Liegey.
Shannon Kohan with Central Pennsylvania Pet Recovery joined the effort to find Bree. For months, sightings popped up, but they had no luck catching her.
"She made it as far as Beaver Springs and circled back and ended up in Middleburg, so she put some miles on," said Shannon Kohan
Then, a whole year passed without a trace of Bree.
"It's a big hunting area, so we were afraid either the coyotes got her, a hunter saw her and shot her. Or she got hit by a car. We gave up hope," said Leigey.
But Shannon Kohan never did.
The six-year-old dog was finally spotted on Saturday. A trap was set with food and other treats on a farm near Middleburg in Synder County, where she was safely caught.
"That's when I just kind of lost my composure. Then I sat there for a few minutes and collected myself and I called the owners," said Kohan.
"Are you sitting down?" I said yeah, and she said "we got her." I said you what?" recalls Liegey.
After a couple nights at the animal hospital, Bree received the all clear to go home.
During her 16 month adventure, her fur got badly matted but she only lost one pound.
"Their resilience is like no other, and we truly don't give them the credit they deserve," said Kohan.
"She's doing great; it's like she never left," said Liegey.
Central Pennsylvania Pet Recovery relies on donations to help reunite families with lost pets, to learn more, click here.