It was a canine Christmas miracle.
A Florida family was reunited with their lost dog on Christmas Eve — the paw-fect present they could receive this holiday season.
German Shepherd mix Athena was missing for nine days, but on Dec. 24, her family heard their doorbell ring — and it was the resourceful pooch.
“It was about 2:30 a.m. where she was ringing on the doorbell and pawing on the door. This was Christmas Eve morning. I woke up from it and saw her on the ring camera,” Athena’s owner, Brooke Comer of Green Cove Springs, told WJAX.
Comer’s four young children, who were heartbroken over Athena’s absence, heard the commotion and joined in the heartwarming holiday reunion.
“Since it was 2:30 AM, I tried to not wake up the kids, but they did wake up from the excitement,” Comer continued.
Athena, who is 4, got loose and went missing Dec. 15. The Comers put out physical and digital flyers, scoured hours of doorbell camera video, and searched the neighborhood with the help of dozens of members of their community.
Residents of the towns of Jacksonville and Saint Augustine even tried to help locate the lost pooch.
“I followed up on all the reported spottings. Many people saw Athena walking through different neighborhoods and that kept hope alive. I knew she was still alive,” Comer told the outlet.
Athena, who is also part Husky, was happy to be home right in time to spend Christmas with her human family.
“She has not stopped whining or howling since she’s come home,” said Comer.
“She’s definitely found her voice now.”
