Missing Dog Found Safe: 'He Is Home!'

AQUEBOGUE, NY — A dog who went missing Friday night is home safe in Aquebogue, his overjoyed owner said Monday.

Maxx was found on the beach Monday morning by a retired police officer, Lisa Douglas told Patch.

He spent at least one night on the beach, Douglas said.

Douglas said she got a call from the North Fork Animal Welfare League, and was told that they'd received a call that a man was walking the beach who had Maxx.

"They gave me his phone number and I called him," Douglas said. "He was able to confirm it was Maxx by a cyst he has on his chest. I jumped in the car and got there as quickly and safely as I could."

Maxx, she said, had created a shelter of sorts by the bulkhead and was drinking from the bay over in South Jamesport about three miles from home.

"We are so relieved, grateful, and excited to have him back," she said. "We’d like to thank everyone who helped with flyers, walking the neighborhood, and sharing our posts on social media."

Douglas said she'd especially thank "Stephanie Hunter, Rose Mary, and Lynn Fodale of the Missing Angels - Long Island Facebook page for their help, guidance, and assistance as well as Mr. Crohan for helping to bring our Maxx back home quickly and safely. I’d also like to thank my cousins Madison, Joel, Lauren, Joel Michael, and Bailey for walking for hours on Saturday and Sunday all over Indian Island and around our neighborhood looking for their buddy Maxx."

According to Douglas, Maxx went missing from her yard on Hubbard Ave. in Aquebogue around 8:30 p.m. Friday after he got out through a previously unnoticed small hole in the fence caused by a downed branch.

Douglas was distraught: Maxx, a gray Miniature Schnauzer, is older, moves slowly, and has joint pain and difficulty seeing at night.

But Maxx, who had his 14th birthday this week, has another chance at life.

Douglas has been out searching since Friday night.

"He has seen me through everything, both the good and the bad," she said. "He is my best friend."