Florida couple reunited with dog after 17-day search

Tampa Bay, FLLocal News

A South Florida couple faced a heart-wrenching ordeal when their dog, Bella, escaped from their hotel room in Crystal River, leading to a 17-day search filled with hope and despair. After discovering Bella was missing, the couple immediately began searching the surrounding area on foot, going door-to-door to inquire about their beloved pet. When these efforts did not yield results, they turned to social media, posting Bella's photos in local Facebook groups to reach a wider audience. Their persistence paid off when a resident at the Sweet Citrus Acres RV Resort spotted Bella and alerted the couple. The pup’s father then undertook a nearly three-and-a-half-hour journey back to Citrus County, where he resumed the search in a nearby wooded area.

Thanks to the collaboration with Animal Control Services, Bella was safely caught and returned to her family. This touching reunion highlights the deep connection between pets and their owners, as well as the incredible power of community support in times of need. Ultimately, the story serves as a reminder of the lengths to which people will go to find their lost pets and the collective effort required to bring them home.

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