Little Lucy lost and found

In case you missed the story in the Jan. 23 Ozaukee County (Wisconsin) News Graphic: Little Lucy, a missing 6-month-old puppy, was found safe and was reunited with her adoptive family.

The Haller family had adopted the black lab mix on Jan. 11 from a local animal shelter, the day of a major snowstorm followed by days of sub-zero temperatures.

After just a few hours in her new home, Lucy escaped and ran away.

The Hallers went looking for her, first in their car and then with flashlights on foot when it got dark.

They also posted their plight on Facebook, and within the hour people in the area were spreading the word all over social media.

The Hallers put flyers up around town and kept searching.

Lisa Haller told the News Graphic that even strangers were out looking for the lost puppy.

“I was driving…and I saw a guy in a pickup truck and said, ‘Hey, I lost my dog. Did you see her?’ And he said, ‘Oh, Lucy? I’m looking for Lucy, too.’ ”

As days went by — and got colder — Lisa Haller feared the worst.

“About halfway through the week, especially after four days of no sightings and with this kind of weather, I just thought there’s no way she survived, that she probably got frostbite and maybe succumbed to a coyote or froze to death,” she told the News Graphic. “It was really emotionally devastating.”

A week later, a neighbor called and said, “I have Lucy.”

Another neighbor had spotted something dark in the bushes next to her house and discovered that the puppy had dug herself a hole against the house.

The one neighbor told the other neighbor who then called the Hallers.

Other than being dehydrated and noticeably thinner, Lucy was fine. A veterinary exam found no signs of frostbite or organ failure.

Lisa Haller told the News Graphic, “Our family is amazed and grateful for the outpouring of support for the community. She would not have been found without all the help, social media, flyers, searching and prayer. We would love to spread the word to never give up hope in searching for a lost pet.”

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus tells the story of a lost sheep that wandered away from the flock and how the Good Shepherd leaves the 99 sheep that are safe in the field to search the countryside.

“When he finds it, he joyfully puts it across his shoulders and carries it home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together to celebrate. ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep,’ he says” (Luke 15:4)

When Lucy was returned to her home, the Hallers didn’t punish her. They celebrated — the whole community celebrated.

It reminded me of three things:

The relentless searching of the community to find a lost puppy in a snowstorm and freezing temperatures is but a fraction of the extent Jesus goes to find those who are lost. Not lost puppies, but lost people.

He rejoices when someone who was lost is found. Sometimes people don’t want to encounter Jesus because they’re afraid. But no one needs to be afraid of the One who died for them. People who are lost don’t need to fear being found — a party and a celebration awaits. The Bible says so.

Lisa Haller said, “Never give up hope in searching for a lost pet.” If God cares about a little puppy, how much more does he care about us?

So, never give up hope — spread the word.