Therapy Dog Missing For Weeks In Anne Arundel County Returns Home

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A Severn veteran finds his dog after it goes missing for more than six weeks. He lost his companion after a car accident.

Tracey Leong has the story of a heartwarming reunion.

It's a story of one man's determination to find his companion. The owner says during the entire search, he never gave up hope.

Donald Shiles holds his therapy dog Comet a little tighter these days.

"I just couldn't imagine not having him. It's almost a miracle he is," Shiles said.

The pair were reunited Monday night, spending six weeks without each other after Shiles crashed his truck in June.

"I spend everyday looking for him," he said.

It happened right near the intersection of Route 32 and Telegraph Road. That's where Shiles last saw his dog Comet before it was thrown from the truck while he remained trapped inside.

"Nobody took him and he disappeared into the brush and they took me to the hospital," Shiles said.

The 77-year-old Vietnam veteran adopted the dog four years ago to help cope with his depression following his retirement from the Army's technical counterintelligence school at Fort Meade.

"He's an unbelievable dog, loving as can be," he said.

The community came together to help find Shiles' therapy dog, posting fliers and leaving out food trying to lure Comet to safety.

Comet was found 6 miles from the crash site near the Fort Meade entrance, covered in ticks. He suffered a few scratches and lost some weight but he was in overall good health.

"He launched himself from where you are as far as I am to my chest and clawed up like saying 'daddy, you're here,' brought tears to my eyes," Shiles said.

Shiles says he was overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of strangers--all volunteering their time to bring Comet home.

He wants to thank the community of Severn and Fort Meade.

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