This Dog Walked Over 60 Kilometers Trying To Find The Way Back To Her Owner
Seneca Krueger, a compassionate psychologist and dog foster mom, never could have imagined the extraordinary journey her foster dog, Zelda, would undertake to be reunited with her. Krueger has devoted her time to helping rescued dogs learn to trust humans again, and over the years, she has fostered around 30 dogs. However, Zelda's case was something truly special.
From the moment Krueger brought Zelda into her care, she noticed that the timid dog seemed calmer when on a leash. Recognizing this, she began tether training Zelda, which gradually helped the shy pup come out of her shell.
Over two weeks, Zelda's progress was remarkable—she weaned off her anti-anxiety medications, reduced her pacing, and even started venturing out on her own for brief periods.
As much as Krueger loved Zelda and cherished the progress they had made together, she knew it was time to find her forever home. Fostering dogs meant helping them adjust and eventually saying goodbye, trusting that they would live their best lives with their new families.
With a heavy heart, Krueger drove Zelda 65 kilometers to her new home, hoping that she had made the right decision. But parting with Zelda was harder than she ever anticipated.
Overwhelmed with emotions, Krueger had to pull over on the side of the road, tears streaming down her face, feeling as though she had just given away her dog.
Zelda was a shy dog when she first came to Krueger
Then, just ten days after the difficult farewell, Krueger received the worst news any dog owner could imagine—Zelda had gone missing. Without hesitation, Krueger embarked on a tireless search to find her beloved foster dog.
To aid in the search, the all-volunteer dog search team, START (Search, Track, and Retrieval Team), joined the efforts. Feeding stations and trail cameras were set up across the region, and reports of Zelda sightings began to pour in.
Days turned into weeks, and then over two months later, a breakthrough occurred. Zelda was found in Minneapolis, halfway between her new home and her foster home with Krueger.
It became apparent that Zelda had been trying to make her way back to the place where she had felt safe and loved.
Krueger found a forever home for Zelda, but she barely parted with her
When Krueger found out that Zelda escaped her home, she knew she had to find her
Filled with hope, Krueger set up feeding stations around her house and threw dirty laundry on the front lawn to entice Zelda with familiar scents. A couple contacted Krueger, informing her that they had been feeding a frightened dog that bore a striking resemblance to Zelda.
Eventually, the couple managed to trap the emaciated dog, and Krueger was notified in the early hours of the morning. As she peered into the cage, she couldn't believe her eyes. There stood a little, anxious dog that barely resembled the Zelda she once knew.
It was clear that Zelda was trying to find her way back to Krueger
Miraculously, Zelda has settled back into her home with Krueger and is overjoyed to be reunited with her mom.
Their heartwarming story is a testament to the unbreakable bond between a human and her foster dog, proving that love and perseverance can lead to incredible miracles, even for our furry friends.
