The search for Stella

Runaway dog in Iron Mt.

IRON MOUNTAIN -- In the blink of an eye, Stella pulled off an escape act worthy of Harry Houdini. What happened next was no magic trick. For nine long days, Jeff and Ann Hruska lived every pet owner's nightmare as they searched for their newly adopted Bernedoodle, unsure if they would ever see her again.

The timid, 5-year-old dog had only been in her Iron Mountain home for four days when she slipped out the door and disappeared, beginning a journey through unfamiliar woods and neighborhoods that would bring strangers together in the effort to find her.

"I'm in awe of how many eyes and hearts were working for Stella's return," said Ann Hruska. "A special thanks to Leah (Gussert Ziemba) for all her help with the search -- I'm not sure we could have done it without her guidance."

"I'm in awe of how many eyes and hearts were working for Stella's return," said Ann Hruska. For Stella, running was nothing new. She came to the Hruskas with a history of uncertainty and change. Before she became the center of a rescue effort, she had already spent several years trying to find a place where she belonged.

The Hruskas adopted Stella from the original breeder after she was given back by her previous family last November due to her running.

For much of her life, Stella had been passed from one household to another. The constant changes left her unsure and unsettled. "She didn't really ever get secure in her environment, which made her timid and a little nervous," Hruska said.

The Hruskas were familiar with the breeder after adopting two cats from her and felt Stella would fit well into their family, that include two Goldendoodle sisters, Griffin and Chia.

"They all really got along well together, the cats especially took to her," Hruska said.

On the day they brought Stella home, the Canadian wildfire smoke had settled over the region. "She was in a strange environment with a strange smell," Hruska said. "Stella is timid, but she's super sweet and good natured."

Like many rescue dogs, adjusting to a new home takes time.

Although Stella spent time in the family's fenced yard when she went outdoors, the breeder recommended daily walks to help build confidence.

"On that Saturday morning (July 18), we went out and she walked like a dream," Hruska said. "Nice and calm, right by my side and didn't pull." That evening, after temperatures cooled, Hruska prepared to take all three dogs for another walk.

While attaching leashes to Griffin and Chia, Stella slipped underneath one of the dogs and darted through the open door. "She bolted so fast -- by the time I got to the end of the driveway, she was already three blocks down," she said.

The Hruskas believe Stella spent much of the next week hidden in the woods surrounding Iron Mt. "There was nothing for nine days," Hruska said.

The search quickly expanded, Hruska contacted law enforcement, Almost Home Animal Shelter and posted on Facebook. By the next morning, Ziemba, who has experience in lost animal recovery and volunteered and trained with other animal rescues, immediately reached out to offer her help and began guiding the search. Ziemba designed flyers and large yard signs with Stella's photo that were placed throughout the community.

"She knew exactly how to word things," Hruska said. "One of her first recommendations was not to publicly share Stella's last known location." Hruska said after her missing dog post the response was overwhelming.

"There were homeless guys out looking and several others walking miles to help find her," Hruska said. "Most people in this town are so awesome and good-hearted."

However, not every call was genuine. As the search gained attention online, Hruska received several scam calls and even prank reports from people hoping to collect a reward.

Ziemba said that is why she advised using her phone number and not the owners' in rescue cases.

At 2 p.m. July 27, her husband called to tell her the Air Tag transmitted from the VA Medical Center. Hruska immediately jumped in the car to rush to the location, only to be sidetracked by another false report that ultimately proved to be a prank.

She had also notified Ziemba, who is also a VA employee, of the update. Being familiar with the property, she was the first to spot Stella.

She found the frightened dog bedded down next to a storage building during a storm, but Stella bolted again before anyone could safely approach. Soon afterward, sightings began coming in rapidly as more residents recognized Stella from the flyers.

"Everyone said she was on the run but was able to give us direction," Hruska said.

Eventually the search led them to the street along the Menominee River in Kingsford.

Finally, the call they had hoped for arrived. "We have your dog -- she's in our house," Hruska said.

Exhausted after more than a week without regular food or shelter, Stella wandered into an open garage and curled up outside the door leading into the house in Kingsford.

When the homeowners returned from a walk, they were able to keep her from escaping again. "A family member inside unknowingly had opened the door and she instinctually bolted into their home," Hruska said.

When she and Ziemba arrived at the home, they found a smelly, dirty Bernedoodle standing in their kitchen, with leash still attached.

Stella had lost about 4 pounds. Her paws were raw and bleeding from days of running, and had some burrs, but otherwise appeared to be in remarkably good condition.

Hruska said she didn't get the story from the family until the next day, as she was too emotional and just wanted to get her back home.

Once home, Stella spent much of the next day curled up with the stuffed animal she arrived with, shaking from the experience.

Now the work begins to help Stella understand she finally has a home.

"We will continue to work on gaining trust and show her this is her place and we're going to take care of her," Hruska said.