It’s been nearly a year since her dog disappeared, but an East Marlborough Township woman who has never stopped searching has reason to hope that Holly might be returned home for the holidays.
“It’s been a year; it’s really time,” said Nancy Gwinner.
Gwinner bases her optimism on the fact that her efforts to locate the German Shepherd/Siberian Husky/Chow continue to identify people who believe they saw the approximately 40-pound dog. Gwinner says when she gets a tip, she visits the area, goes door-to-door with photos, and generally finds others who recognize Holly.
“I’ve met some wonderful people along the way,” Gwinner said.
She has much incentive to persevere. She inherited Holly from her late father, Bob, who was the rescued pet’s third owner. Besides Holly’s sentimental value, Gwinner said she had several years to bond with the dog herself since then.
Holly’s great escape occurred in January, Gwinner said. Although Gwinner had an invisible fence installed at her home, a pet-sitter let Holly out without her fence collar, and she’s been on the run ever since.
Gwinner’s been on the run, too. She said she has had numerous contacts with the Chester County SPCA, several dog rescue organizations, and area police departments. She has also canvassed neighborhoods, and put up fliers, trail cameras, and feeding stations. In April, she set up a Facebook page called “Help Holly Get Home.”
Those efforts have continued to produce leads. Gwinner said pockets of people have reported seeing Holly in areas ranging from Anson B. Nixon Park to Longwood Gardens to various East Marlborough and Pocopson Township subdivisions. She said several people tried to chase the dog, which probably caused her to relocate.
“She’s been in survival mode too long,” said Gwinner. “Getting her back will be a painstaking process ... Her instinct will be to run.”
Gwinner said if residents think they see the dog, they should call her immediately. She said she responded to one location after multiple people had reported seeing Holly and came up empty.
“I found out later that the workers had tried to catch her,” Gwinner said. “This scared her off, and she hasn't been back since. It is very important that no one tries to catch her, because she could leave the area, and then we are back at square one all over again.
The onset of winter has brought good and bad conditions, Gwinner said. She said snow makes tracking much easier, but the season also brings out hunters. Gwinner said she’s worried that Holly could be mistaken for a coyote.
“When in doubt, please do me and every other lost dog’s owner a favor, don’t shoot,” she pleaded, adding that she would like to get information about Holly’s disappearance to local hunting groups. “I keep coming upon tree stands and would love to talk to the people who use them. They spend hours in places where Holly might be.”
Anyone with tips or sightings is asked to call Gwinner at 610-470-9694. In addition to the emotional reward of helping to return a beloved pet to its owner, a monetary reward is also being offered, Gwinner said.
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