Dog Reunited With Owner With Help of Good Samaritans

A dog that escaped from her owner after he suffered a heart attack Wednesday afternoon in Campbell was reunited with him Thursday with the help of good Samaritans.

Lola, a 13-pound Brussels Griffon, darted out of her North Central Avenue home the day owner Chad had his medical emergency. She travelled through the Orchard city's downtown, up Railway Avenue and followed Campbell resident Aaron Watts to The Avalon apartment complex.

Watts brought Lola to the apartments' front office to see if anyone recognized her, but no one did, said Campbell resident Jessica Veal.

Veal took photos of the little dog, who didn't make a sound during the entire time she was at the apartment complex, and sent them to friends around town she knew to spread the word.

When no one came forward, Watts asked Veal to take Lola home because he has cats. She brought the cute canine home with her, gave her some doggie treats and a bath.

Because Veal is a teacher, she asked Los Gatos friend and Van Meter Elementary School kindergarten teacher Taira Kenney to help watch over Lola.

Owner Chad's neighbor Judy Blair also helped spread the word about Lola on Nextdoor, the free private online social neighborhood network.

"I immediately went out to try to find her," Blair said. "I felt like it was my fault that she got out."

But soon after Blair posted onto Nextdoor another neighbor contacted Patch and we ran this article, which garnered 83 Facebook recommends and several Twitter tweets.

Patch received a tip Thursday morning from Watts that he thought he may have found Lola's owner and the reunion was made possible the same day.

"We are just so glad it's a happy ending," Veal said. "It really takes a village!"

Lola is now back with Chad. She happily gave her rescuers dog kisses.

Blair is relieved that the Brussels Griffon is home. "I felt like the Lord had given me the blessing of this town of Campbell," she said. "These people, when you need help, they're there. I feel like now I can breathe. I want to say thank-you to the community."