One lucky dog and her family are feeling the love in Mt. Laurel.
In a freak accident at the Mt. Laurel Animal Hospital on Nov. 26, 5-year-old Riley, a black boxer, got loose while a technician performed a urine test during her check up.
The next six days and five nights were tumultuous for owner and Mt. Laurel resident Linda Yaffa and her family, but ultimately, the rallying of the community reaped a happy ending.
Throughout Riley’s ordeal, residents spotted her all over the township as she ran through woods, fields and developments.
From the animal hospital, Riley took off through a turf field, out to the woods and into the Stonegate development, said Yaffa.
Around 11:30 p.m., she was spotted in a field off of Marter Avenue.
For the next couple of days, Riley was seen by many callers in the general area of Union Mill Road and Walton Avenue as well as the Laurel Knoll East development.
On Thursday, a call came in from Moorestown-Mt. Laurel Road.
The next day, a bus driver for Mt. Laurel Schools alerted Yaffa that Riley was seen at Paws Farm on Hainesport-Mt. Laurel Road, a fair distance away.
She crossed into the Lakes development on Friday.
At 10:30 p.m. that night, a call came in from Hartford Road.
Not long after, at 11:15 p.m., she was spotted in the Laurel Ponds community.
The next morning, Dec. 1, a search party was formed.
Soon thereafter, Riley was spotted In Ravenscliff.
“She ran through fields, woods, crossed streams while people chased, called her name and continued to search,” said Yaffa. “Finally, I think she just gave up and ran right to a guy as he was walking out of his house. The kids ran up from behind and put a leash around her neck and held her until we could get there.”
Riley was taken to the animal hospital, where she was immediately treated for wounds sustained while on the lam.
Fortunately, she had no encounters with fellow animals. However, her paws were cut, chest scratched and she was filled with ticks.
“Her wounds are healed,” said Yaffa.
Riley is fine when inside of her house, but once outside, she becomes nervous.
When she sleeps, “she has little nightmares,” said Yaffa.
Her feet move, her heart races and she whimpers.
It will take some time to get back to life as usual, Yaffa said, but the community support has given her that opportunity.
“We just want to say thank you to everybody,” she said. “We as a family are just overwhelmed by the love and the outpouring of support.”
Among those who helped were staffs from the Mt. Laurel Animal Hospital, the Mt. Laurel Schools and transportation department, police, fire, public works and plenty of friends, neighbors and strangers. Boxer Rescue was also involved, as well as local businesses that posted flyers and the Animal Orphanage in Voorhees.
More than 50 people were involved in the search party, Yaffa said.
In the time since Riley’s homecoming, Yaffa has received several follow up calls from community members.
“Did you get her back?” “How did you get her?” they ask, said Yaffa.
“It was so heartwarming,” she said.
