His dog vanished. More than 8 months later, he saw Timber on Facebook.
After months of searching, Dylan Reedy said, he was beginning to lose hope. He felt heartbroken.
Dylan Reedy returned home from work one November evening to find his dog, Timber, nowhere to be seen. The New Hope resident, 32, was distraught, having raised the hound mix since the pup was only five weeks old. He searched his Brown County, Ohio neighborhood and visited shelters, but he couldn't fathom how his beloved pet had fled through an unlocked door or window.
Months of searching left Reedy feeling heartbroken, as the lost hound spent nearly 90 minutes away at a shelter in Hamilton, Ohio, a location he never imagined Timber would end up. The dog, who was not microchipped, was brought in as a stray to Animal Friends Humane Society on November 28—the day after he vanished. He had suffered a deep cut on his front left leg, which shelter staff promptly treated with antibiotics and pain medication, before sending him to a foster home for recovery.
Shelter staff took special care of Timber, tending to his injury and providing him with the affection he needed to heal properly. After weeks of recuperation, Timber returned to the shelter, where staff christened him Flash. For over 250 days, Flash contentedly stayed at the shelter, delighting staff and volunteers with his playful demeanor, love for belly rubs and treats, and endless tail wags.
His unique charm, however, remained a mystery to everyone—until Aug. 4, when bicycle refurbisher Chris Ferguson visited the shelter for his regular donation. Ferguson, known for his regular visits and generous donations, noticed Flash and chose him for a photo to post on Facebook. Reedy, who had since moved to Hamilton in March, received the photo and instantly recognized his missing dog.
Tears streamed down his face as he connected with Timber, having prayed daily for his safe return. Reedy, who had never imagined Timber would turn up more than eight months later—nearly 73 miles away from his original disappearance—was overjoyed to reunite with his faithful companion. Shelter staff were equally moved, with few such heartwarming reunions in their ten-year tenure.
The emotional reunion left everyone in the shelter in tears, grateful for the universe's intervention in this extraordinary tale. Timber, now back with his owner, settled back into his home with renewed joy and affection.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
