Mokena's 'Moose' Back Home, Tucked In, Snoring Away After Being Gone

MOKENA, IL — In the days since a Mokena’s family dog went missing after his owners fear he may have been hit by a car, the beloved family pet has made his way back home.

Moose, a 4-year-old blue-nosed pit bull, returned home early Thursday morning, according to s social media post by the owner's daughter-in-law. His return came after the PAWS animal shelter in Tinley Park began a volunteer to find Moose in the area where he was recently seen, family members told Patch on Wednesday.

But in a Facebook post early Thursday morning, Kelsey Gray Pedersen wrote that Moose is safe and thanked local residents for their assistance in getting the dog back to where he belongs.

"MOOSE CAME HOME!!!! He is all tucked in, nice and comfy, warm, and snoring away," Pedersen wrote.

"My in-laws and family want to thank EVERYONE who has helped us over the past 2 days try and locate moose! All of the prayers, the tips, Facebook shares, phone calls, texts, messages, people driving around aimlessly looking for him and especially the volunteer rescue team. We couldn’t have done it without any of YOU and we are truly forever thankful for that THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! That trouble maker is FINALLY home safe!"

On Wednesday, Moose remained in protection mode and had been running away every time someone called his name. Moose had been spotted on video at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night and again at 2:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Wednesday when he came out of hiding to find food.

Family members told Patch that Moose was spotted by several people Wednesday morning before he ran when people called his name. It is believed that Moose goes into hiding during the day and then comes out at night, Gray Pedersen said on Wednesday.

Animal control volunteers had been trying to locate Moose when he came out for food in the late afternoon after it gets dark.

Moose was not far from their home Monday evening when two girls believe they saw him being struck by a car, the couple's daughter-in-law told Patch this week. The car did not stop after hitting the dog, the girls said.

The girls went back for the dog, said Gray Pedersen, but Moose bolted before he could be grabbed.