Orland Park Family’s Dog That Escaped During Storm Found Safe

ORLAND PARK, IL — In what the Vavra family might see as a bit of a Christmas Eve miracle, their beloved dog has been found safe two days after he escaped during a winter storm.

The Vavra family was reunited with their beloved 8-year-old Shiba Inu Carl Saturday around 9 p.m.

“We are beyond grateful for all the love and support during this time,” owner Connie Vavra shared on social media. “We could not have located Carl without all the help of each of you.”

Carl darted out the door Thursday afternoon, as Vavra’s daughter was carrying in Christmas packages. The family spent the days following fraught with worry, as brutal temperatures and snow hit the area. They tracked him as far as they could after his escape, and watched as he squeezed through a hole in fencing at Silver Lake Country Club. He was too fast for them to keep up, and they lost sight of him.

They drove the area that afternoon and evening, and the next day, to no avail. Word of their plight spread quickly on social media, as Vavra shared updates on their search. It was happy news she shared Saturday night.

“Extreme gratitude to the resident who spotted Carl walking around their home,” Vavra said on social media, “and to the officer who located and was able to grab Carl before he jumped a fence and disappeared again.

“YOU ARE AN ANGEL!”

Vavra said she’ll be ordering a GPS tracking collar for their speedy family friend.