Missing Crystal Lake Dog Found Safe Thanks to Drone Technology

A Family’s Joy and Relief

A family in Crystal Lake is breathing sighs of relief after their beloved dog, Charlie, was found Sunday.

The Disappearance

It was a foggy and chilly morning when David Nowak let his family’s three dogs outside, like he always does.

But this time, only two dogs returned.

“It was 6:00, I let the dogs out,” Nowak explained. “He just took off. I start looking for him after five minutes. I lost him for just five minutes.”

The Search Efforts

Charlie, the family’s 2-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, had taken off on his own adventure.

His parents Kate Belmonte and Nowak think he must have been chasing an animal, or something, because this behavior was very unlike him.

“He’s smart, he knows the area pretty well, and we just couldn’t see him taking off,” Kate Belmonte said. “It was devastating, it was so hard, we couldn’t sleep or do anything really.”

Belmonte and Nowak made dozens of flyers and posted them all around the Crystal Lake community. Even their neighbors jumped in to help search for Charlie. But after several days, they hired professional help.

The Miracle of Drone Technology

Kat Cavanaugh, the owner of Dog Gone Pet Recovery, was their first call.  Cavanaugh said she searched for three days with no luck of spotting Charlie.

By Sunday, Cavanaugh referred the couple to a colleague, Mike Smith of Smithic Air.

Using drones, thermal technology and high-powered video, Cavanaugh and Smith found Charlie on Day 7.

“There is a lot of luck involved with this,” Smith explained. “We have to fly over the pet to find the pet.”

The Reunion

Charlie was found hiding in a wooded area less than a mile from home. Veterinarians think he was hit by a car, because he was found hiding with a broken femur.

Charlie underwent surgery to fix his leg on Monday.

“The moment he was walking to us, we both just started ugly crying and had our arms out,” Belmonte said. “It was just the best feeling ever.”

Charlie is expected to return home to Crystal Lake on Tuesday evening.

Conclusion

The story of Charlie’s disappearance and recovery is a testament to the power of technology and the dedication of those who helped find him. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and that with perseverance and determination, miracles can happen.

FAQs

Q: How did Charlie’s owners find out that he was missing?
A: David Nowak, Charlie’s owner, noticed that Charlie was not with the other two dogs when they returned from their morning walk.

Q: What did the search efforts entail?
A: The search efforts included making flyers, posting them around the community, and hiring professional help from Dog Gone Pet Recovery and Smithic Air.

Q: How did the drone technology help find Charlie?
A: The drone technology used thermal imaging and high-powered video to search for Charlie, and Mike Smith of Smithic Air was able to spot him hiding in a wooded area.

Q: What was Charlie’s condition when he was found?
A: Charlie was found with a broken femur and underwent surgery to fix his leg on Monday.