Dog Missing 2 1/2 Months Reunited With Newington Family

NEWINGTON, CT — On a trip from Newington to see friends in Farmington in April, the Madera family brought along their female Shepherd mixed dog, Gigi.

All seemed well until 1-year-old Gigi got spooked and ran off, nearly getting run over by a vehicle in the process, and disappearing in the woods, reported NBC Connecticut.

So began a two-and-a-half month long search and rescue for the dog which, according to CT Dog Gone Recovery Volunteers, finally ended this week with Gigi being reunited with her family.

"This was by far the toughest capture we have ever had just because of Gigi being so scared, [and] because of the terrain we were in & having to go on the very busy highway," the recovery group wrote on Facebook. "All was against us, but we were determined."

It took nearly two months, and lots of reported sightings, for the group to finally find Gigi, but the dog, which was now very thin from surviving on little food, kept avoiding capture.

So the group, which detailed the search and capture on its Facebook page (see below), set up traps with food to entice Gigi to return. The dog would eat, but continue to avoid capture for days. The area that Gigi was temporarily calling home was a bit treacherous, so the group had to stay patient and not spook her.

"We tried having her owner lay out there at night, had a blanket with his hands soaked in bacon grease with chicken all around him, but she would not come out," the recovery group wrote. "She was in full feral survival mode."

Eventually, the group coaxed Gigi into being rescued, and she has been returned to Maderas. She had some ticks removed by a veterinarian who checked her out, but otherwise she's in good health.

"Thank you to Gigi’s amazing family who has faith in us that we would get this girl home to them," the group said. "Thank you to Farmington [Animal Control Officer] Brenda, the [state Department of Transportation] who allowed us on the highway, CTDGRV Leah, Debbie, Gary, Carol & Patti for all you hard work & dedication."