Service Dog Missing After Car Is Stolen, Owners Overjoyed When He Finally Returns Safe
Sometimes horrible things happen for no understandable reason. As many random acts of kindness as we see, there are dozens of occurrences of unkindness to go right along with them.
When you’re traveling for vacation or a big move, the last thing you expect is for something bad to happen.
But, sadly, people get in car accidents, or vehicles get stolen. This exactly what happened to Lana Whitner and her family.
She and her husband ,Tim, along with their daughter, had been traveling from Illinois to Florida. Lana and Tim were driving separate vehicles.
They were making a big move across many states and much of what they owned was traveling with them inside the two vehicles.
When the Whitners decided to take a break, they pulled into a rest area in Indianapolis. It was then that things went horribly wrong.
The moment Lana left her SUV to talk with Tim, her vehicle was overtaken by 3 suspects. They fled the scene before Lana even knew what hit her.
But the fact that their laptops, cash, and daughter’s cell phone were still in the SUV were the least of this family’s concerns.
Something much more precious had been stolen — Lana’s service dog, Wrigley, was still inside the vehicle.
Lana is a Marine Corps vet who suffers from seizures and headaches, and Wrigley is trained to recognize these things.
“He’s my lifeline right now,” she shared. It is thanks to Officer Justin Lawrence of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department that Lana’s lifeline was found within 24 hours.
Lawrence is an ex-marine himself. He understood how important a marine’s service dog is, and jumped into action to involve the community.
While the vehicle was soon found and two suspects were apprehended, Wrigley was still nowhere in sight. The family felt hopeless.
#IMPDNOW: @USMC Veteran had vehicle stolen with Service Dog, Wrigley (2), inside on south side. Vehicle was recovered on east side of #Indy w/o Wrigley. Wrigley is a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and is chipped. This is not just a dog, it’s family. Please help locate! #Breaking pic.twitter.com/jMjvDFepGv
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) July 17, 2018
But then social media got involved. A viral tweet posted by IMPD received a huge response. Everyone wanted to help find Wrigley.
The Whitners didn’t have to wait long for good news, either. Watch their sweet reunion with their sweet service dog.
#IMPDNOW: Wrigley has been found! The service pup was just reunited with his @USMC Veteran Owner and family. Thank you to all who assisted! #Reunited #YourPoliceYourCommunity #1ndy pic.twitter.com/xy006xJsLs
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) July 19, 2018
They were only apart little more than a day, but it’s clear this dog missed his owners very much. And there’s no doubt they missed him too.
Way to go, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department! You have made one family and their pup very happy indeed.
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