Lost Dog’s Return After Over a Week Captured on Doorbell Camera

Athena, a four-year-old German Shepherd and Husky mix, escaped her home on December 15th while Brooke Comer and her family were on their way to church. A neighbor alerted Comer that Athena was outside, but by the time the family rushed home, all they found was her collar in the crate, with no sign of how she had escaped.

After more than a week of searching, a Florida family received the best Christmas gift imaginable—their missing dog, Athena, returned home on Christmas Eve and even rang the doorbell to announce her arrival.

For over a week, the family worried and searched tirelessly. Then, at 2:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Comer received a Ring video notification. To her amazement, it was Athena at the door, eagerly jumping and ringing the doorbell.

“I was half-asleep, and the dog was barking,” Comer said. “When I heard the Ring notification, I checked my phone and saw Athena on the video. She was so excited, jumping at the door!”

The family quickly welcomed Athena back. She ran inside, immediately licked one of the kids’ faces, grabbed her ball to play, and then returned to her crate for a well-deserved rest.

Comer later mapped Athena’s journey, estimating that the dog had traveled roughly 20 miles (32 km) during her adventure. Athena will soon visit the vet for a check-up and a microchip. Comer also noted a surprising change in Athena: “She’s never howled before, but since coming home, she hasn’t stopped whining. She’s definitely found her voice.”