Pair of Pups Stolen in Milwaukee Burglary Found 'Chasing Squirrels' in Channahon

CHANNAHON, IL — Two pups stolen by burglars from a Wisconsin home last week turned up over the weekend right here in Channahon, where their ecstatic owner said they had probably been busy "chasing squirrels."

Patti Walczak’s pups, Copper and Chance, are now safe at their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Bay View neighborhood. A frantic 48-hour search for the pair started after residential burglars busted into her house and stole them while Walczak was at work.

She filed a police report, then blasted the story of her loss across social media.

Her Facebook posts yielded thousands of shares and her plight, significant media coverage.

Walczak wondered why the burglars stole her dogs and their large kennel while also making off with electronics and other home goods. She also worried what the thieves might be doing to them.

“It’s some kind of evil to take someone’s dogs, my babies,” she told the New York Daily News.

She vented concerns to other outlets, like WITI-TV, such as, “I hope they’re not hurting them."

And then, her wishes came true. Walczak received a text message Saturday saying Copper and Chance had been found in Channahon. Resident Sandy Mayhall spotted Copper on Friday morning and called police, the Fox story said.

"When the officer opened the car door, he just jumped right in," Mayhall told reporters, of Copper being picked up by local police.

Chance was found the following day.

"That was just such a good feeling. I was tearing up, I was so excited," Walczak said, in a Fox 6 report. "I'm just so thankful," Walczak said.

The dogs were microchipped, which was a big help for local shelter workers who cared for the pair and were able to reach Walczak with the news.

She embarked on the two-hour drive to Channahon on Saturday after sharing her excitement on Facebook, where friends and do-gooders from around the world had become invested in her story.

“When I got there, they were just so excited to see me,” she told WISN-TV, noting they also looked scared.

Walczak said she planned to pamper the pooches with a trip to the park and some extra treats.

As of Sunday, no one had been arrested for the burglary and Milwaukee police were investigating.

“I wish they could talk so I could say, ‘Who took you?’ ” she told WISN.

Photo courtesy of Patti Walczak's Facebook Page