Tugger has been found.  Miracles do happen.

Last week we heard about a guy, Nick Lomangino, who had an old dog, 15-year old Tugger, who slipped away one night.  Tugger suffers seizures and needs medication.  Tugger was gone for many nights and the end looked bleak for Nick and Tugger.

Nick stopped into the Green Toad Bookstore last week, where my wife works a couple of nights a week.  He gave Trish a missing dog poster, which was hand drawn by Nick. 

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When she came home she told me the story and I enlisted the help of my many listeners.  I put it up on our website last week.  More than 2,500 people saw this post and everybody was keeping their eyes open for Tugger.  Nick posted the dog's picture up all over the region.  They had been companions for many years and it was clear Nick Lomangino was going to do everything he could to get the old pup back.To no avail.I called Nick on Thursday of this week for a follow-up to the story.  He told me that despite his best efforts, and the attention from our website, the dog was probably gone forever.  There was just no way a dog that old and that sick could last in the woods.  I told Nick that many, many of my listeners were involved in the search for Tugger and that it saddend me to hear this news. I offered Nick my condolences.  I too am a dog owner and lover, and could feel my heart breaking for this guy.

Well......you won't believe this.

On Friday morning who walks into my studio but Nick Lomangino.  With a smile on his face!  What a story he told.  Missing dog, rescuer finds him, dog gets sick, humane

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society called, dog is adopted, Oneonta vet Dr. Joan Puritz enters the story and a happy reunion takes place.  I could hardly believe it.  Nick told me that Tugger was in his truck right outside of the radio station, having just picked him up from Dr. Puritz's office to take him back home.  Of course I had to go outside and see the object of such concern by so many.  He is 15-years old so the realist in me says old Tugger's days are short.  But I gotta tell you.  There was a smile in that dog's old eyes that was unmistakable.  He was so happy to finally be back home.

Sweet story, adorable old dog and a Doggie Dad who just wouldn't give up.

Listen to the story in Nick's own words here;

 

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