Town Donates To LI Vet's Missing Service Dog's 'Christmas Miracle'

NORTH FORK, NY — After a Long Island veteran's beloved service dog went missing in July, 122 long days ago, her heartbroken family — and the North Fork community that has rallied to help — want her back. And now, a new grasssroots effort has kicked off with friends, neighbors and strangers donating money for a reward — with the fervent hope of getting Gigi home for Christmas.

The effort was commenced by Nancy Blasko of Mattituck, who pledged $1,000 of her own money to offer as a reward. "Please help with a Christmas Miracle!" she wrote. "I personally will give you a $1,000 to the person that leads to the return of Gigi, or returns Gigi themselves. No questions asked. Someone knows something. She didn't just vanish! It could be even your neighbor that has her. This is our local veteran from our hometown. This is a service dog and a family pet. To the person that has her — no one knows it's you, just drop her off at home! Do the right thing. No questions. Be the Christmas miracle in returning her."

Soon, in a heartfelt scene straight out of "It's A Wonderful Life," friends and neighbors, some of whom have never even met Gigi, began commenting on the Facebook post, offering their own donations.

Someone offered $500. Another, $50. One woman said that she did not have much to give but would like to donate $25, to bring Gigi home. One after another the donations are pouring in, a flurry of love and hometown spirit, with a belief that if love is enough, Gigi will be home for Christmas, curled up safe and warm in her family's arms.

So far donations have topped $2,000.

Kathleen Stewart DiSilvio said Gigi is a black Labrador Retriever, just a year and a half old. She was last seen on Saturday, July 15, on Marratooka Lane in Mattituck.

But despite the rays of hope and optimism a few potential sightings have offered, to no avail, grief blankets the family's home; her husband Michael, DiSilvio said, is also struggling with Gigi's loss, battling anxiety and PTSD. A combat vet, he served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY; he later served at Fort Drum in Jefferson County, NY.

Christmas is especially hard, DiSilvio said.

"She is so much a part of Christmas, from 'helping' us wrap, to laying on the paper so you wouldn't. She would unwrap the gifts before Christmas Day. She would sniff them out."

DiSilvio added: "She made things a little difficult, but you couldn't help but laugh. She just wanted to be a part of everything. She loved to lay under the tree on the skirt. We had to twist tie and or move the ornaments up a notch."

Last Christmas was only Gigi's first, DiSilvio said. "This would be her second. Her birthday is right around the corner after the holidays and she will be turning 2."

Her voice filled with tears, DiSilvio said while it's hard to talk about — the grief and yearning are still too real and raw — she and her family want Gigi's story to remain out there, for the search to continue. It has to, she said — because in their hearts, they believe she is alive and waiting to be reunited with her family.

Even decorating is difficult without Gigi, the memories just a heartbeat away, DiSilvio said. "We pulled out our red blankets for the holiday, and her memory is all over them," DiSilvio said. "She would chew holes into them, making them look like Swiss cheese."

No matter how many presents are piled under the tree, her family, she said, shares only one wish: "To bring Gigi home. It would be a miracle."

Blasko said after reading a recent Patch article about Gigi, now missing 122 days, she felt compelled to help.

"It breaks my heart to see Kathleen, Mike and their kids hurt," she said. "I talk to Kathleen often.
After reading the Patch article, I just felt we had to get it out there. I know this time of year is hard for families, but a reward could help them. I really do believe she is out there. My heart feels like she is close. Someone knows something, and just staying out of it. I pray hard for Kathleen and her family. I pray the person who knows something or has her will just return her."

There's another reason Blasko wanted to do something to help a family wreathed in grief this holiday season. "20 years ago when my mom was sick with cancer, the community donated to her, to help with her medicine and when she needed a car. The church family came helped. It's my turn to help a friend."

DiSilvio said the family has also been working with the Facebook group "Missing Angels - Long Island." if Gigi is found and the person who returns her does not want the reward, the money raised will be donated to a charity, with an eye toward giving back after such a huge outpouring of love.

The search for Gigi been long and filled with pitfalls, including false sightings and "missing" posters that were constantly and mysteriously removed.

At Christmas, advocates for Gigi's return have asked that those hoping to help light trees for Gigi and also, put her "missing" signs on their lawns — to keep the candle of hope alive.

Because, despite the many long days and nights without her, DiSilvio and her family have never given up believing that one day, Gigi would come home.

"I’ve always felt hopeful," she said. "I've never felt that she's no longer around. I truly believe that she is out there."

DiSilvio said she and her family want to thank the many who've come forward to help, making flyers and posting them, sharing Gigi's photo and story on social media, and rallying to search.

"I have people that pull up in cars in front of our house and just pray," she said. Prayer groups are also remembering Gigi when they meet.

"All of us in our heart of hearts — we believe she’s alive," she said. "Every day when I wake up, I feel like today could be the day."

The community has been tireless in their support, she said.

"They write me, and we talk and pray together. Everything's just so positive — there’s nothing like it," DiSilvio said. "There’s an army looking for her."

Their family has gotten calls from as far away as Martha's Vineyard with possible Gigi sightings."All we can do is think about how we can repay these people, and thank everyone for their time," DiSilvio said.

DiSilvio is resolute in her belief that her family will be reunited with Gigi. "Love is going to bring her home," she said.

If you see Gigi, call or text 516-443-4902.