Parenting has its fair share of challenges. Such was the case for Dex and Lindsey Pritchett and their young daughter Mikaela. It seemed to be an easy transition when they first weaned their child to sleep alone.
However, after a short time, Mikaela grew terrified to be alone, anywhere, anytime. . Instead, the Pritchetts took a leap of faith, entrusting their child to one of the most misunderstood breeds in modern history.
However, after a short time, Mikaela grew terrified to be alone, anywhere, anytime. . Instead, the Pritchetts took a leap of faith, entrusting their child to one of the most misunderstood breeds in modern history.
Just Your Typical Happy Family
Many assume that a rapid change in behavior stems from something traumatic such as a move, death in the family, or divorce. While that is true in some instances, the Pritchett’s lived a stable life in a loving home. Dex had a steady job as a lecturer at the community college, and Lindsey ran the local bakery, both happy and content in their careers.
The couple happily shared parenting responsibilities at home and made the best of every second they spent with their daughter. As far as proud papa Dex was concerned, their life couldn’t have been more perfect. That is until Mikaela turned five and her fear of being alone compounded overnight.
The Great Debate
As most couples do, the Pritchetts searched and eventually found a beautiful family home in a suburban neighborhood, perfect for raising children. With plans to one day expand their family of three, they also opted for a larger floor plan with extra space for additional children. Then they were left with the great debate among spouses. Do we try for child number two now, or wait a few years?
As most of you know, there are a lot of factors that have to be weighed out before taking the leap for child number two. So, Dex and Lindsey decided to consider a pet for Mikaela while discussing the possibility of a sibling for her. Though the pet conversation was already on the table, their daughter’s fears escalated well before their new furry friend arrived.
Signs of Trouble
Dex and Lindsey soon became perplexed when Mikaela began exhibiting a newfound fear. At bedtime, the child would express her concern, telling her parents she was afraid to sleep alone in her room. After adjusting her routine before bed to include a thorough check for monsters in the closet, they hoped for the best, but it only got worse. Mikaela started waking up in the middle of the night, terrified of being alone.
Of course, this broke the Pritchett’s hearts. They assumed their daughter was afraid of the dark and looked for other methods to calm her fears. The problem was that she wasn’t afraid of the dark; Mikaela was scared to be alone. Soon, the young child began crying whenever her parents left her side, whether during the day or night.
Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back
Lindsey was especially troubled by her daughter’s mysterious new issue. She worked very hard to help Mikaela transition to her own bed three years earlier. Though she initially had to stay by her side until Mikaela fell asleep, her daughter never displayed any fear about going to bed in her own room. Why now? Why so sudden?
Then things got worse. For the past three years, Mikaela slept in her own room and never woke in the middle of the night. Now, she was waking up terrified and running to her parent’s bed for comfort. After trying monster checks, calming stories, various nightlights, and extra stuffed animals, their daughter’s fear was only escalating.
Seeking Professional Help
Dex and Lindsey were already concerned about their daughter’s new bedtime phobia when she began displaying the same fears during the day. Before these issues started, Mikaela could easily play in one room while her parents were in another. Now, if they left her alone for even a second, she would panic and cry out for them.
Enough was enough. This was a harrowing existence for their poor baby. So, as any parent would, Dex and Lindsey made an appointment with their pediatrician, hoping they could shed some light on what was happening to their daughter. As they strapped Mikaela into her car seat to head to the Children’s Hospital, the Pritchetts had no idea their lives were about to change forever.
A Congested Commute
Feeling relieved that they had secured an appointment with the pediatrician, Dex and Lindsey hit the road with Mikaela in tow. Their timing wasn’t that great, though, as they wound up stuck in the dreaded late morning Kansas City traffic. To make the wait more enjoyable, Dex threw on some tunes and engaged his wife in conversation.
Meanwhile, in the backseat, Mikaela was getting into some shenanigans of her own. Any parent can attest that a quiet child is usually up to something. However, Dex and Lindsey had become so engaged in their conversation that they failed to see what their daughter was doing. Her backseat maneuvering would soon throw a wrench in their plans.
Something Caught Her Eye
As Dex and Lindsey discussed plans for the weekend, Mikaela managed to grip the door handle and pull herself toward the window. Luckily, the child wasn’t hatching an escape plan; something had caught her eye, and she simply needed a closer look. Soon, her curiosity turned to delight, and she had to share her discovery with Mom and Dad.
Dex and Lindsey’s conversation was suddenly interrupted when they heard their daughter’s sweet voice exclaim, “Mommy!! Doggy, doggy!!” Shocked that Mikaela had managed to drag herself to the window, they quickly followed her gaze and were surprised by what they saw on the other side of the glass.
Was It Fate?
Just outside Mikaela’s window was an animal shelter, with puppies and kittens playfully displayed in the window. Of course, the thought of petting those cute and furry potential pets had Mikaela squealing with delight. Seeing his daughter’s enthusiasm, Dex weighed out his options. Take Mikaela to her doctor’s appointment to try and get some answers. Or, take the plunge and finally get the family pet he and Lindsey had discussed. Then, fate intervened.
The phone rang as Dex struggled with making the responsible decision for his daughter. On the other end of the line was the pediatrician’s office asking to reschedule their appointment. That phone call sealed the deal; Dex parked the car, and the family proceeded into the shelter.
They Were Chosen
Now, any dog owner will tell you that it is the pup who chooses their forever family. And that’s precisely what happened with the Pritchetts. After seeing numerous animals in the shelter, Mikaela made an instant connection with a handsome two-year-old pitbull named Silva. Though Lindsey had reservations about the breed, Dex was thrilled his daughter found a doggy to love.
The new addition to their family cozied up to Mikaela during the car ride, and once home, he acted as if he had always lived there. Unlike most shelter pups, Silva didn’t need an adjustment period; he felt comfortable and secure laying by the Pritchett’s side. The dog did, however, start displaying some troubling behavior.
Getting on the Same Page
Lindsey’s apprehension over adopting a dog of such a large and powerful breed prompted a conversation between the couple. She agreed that Silva could come home with them; however, he would have to sleep in the kitchen until she felt comfortable enough to allow him into Mikaela’s room at night.
With the agreement in place, the family headed to the pet store to stock up on food, toys, bowls, and, most importantly, a doggie bed for the kitchen floor. After a celebratory feast to welcome Silva home, the family cuddled up for a movie before heading off to bed. This was when things got a little weird.
Conked Out
Mikaela was a light sleeper who rarely zonked out in front of the television. Even so, on this night, Dex and Lindsey were relieved to see their daughter sleeping soundly on the couch with Silva snoring at her feet. Both were tuckered out. Hoping not to disturb their child’s rest, the parents carefully picked Mikaela up and moved her to her bed.
Despite their stealthy transfer, Silva was wide awake when they returned to the living room. As far as Dex was concerned, this was a good sign that the pup was looking out for Mikaela. Lindsey was still unsure; she didn’t know this 80-pound dog very well, so in her mind, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Start the Training Early
Now, every pack needs an alpha; for the Pritchetts, it was Lindsey. She wanted Silva to feel like a welcomed member of the family. Still, being a protective mama bear, she also wanted to lay down the law regarding the dog's sleeping arrangements. So, once Mikaela was in bed, Lindsey and Dex led Silva to his new bed in the kitchen and bid their new pet goodnight before closing the door.
With everyone tucked in safely, the couple stayed up for a few more hours watching TV before going to bed themselves. All was well, right? So they thought. In the middle of the night, Lindsey woke up to fetch a glass of water from the kitchen. Guess who wasn't in their bed. That's right, Silva.
Retracing Her Steps
Fresh out of a deep slumber, Lindsey had to look around again. The dog bed was empty, and Silva was nowhere in sight. She started going over questions in her head: Did they close the kitchen door as she remembered? Maybe Silva opened the front door? Well, she was sure everything was as it was supposed to be. She was sure of it. Lindsey and Dex had a lengthy conversation about the subject.
While Dex encouraged her to allow Silva to sleep with their daughter Mikaela, Lindsey still wasn’t comfortable with a new, rather large pitbull being alone with her daughter. Once she retraced her steps, Lindsey began to panic. Where was the dog? Running on adrenaline, this protective mama bear began searching the house, going room by room, leaving no stone unturned.
An Unnerving Discovery
Lindsey’s search of the living room, dining area, and hallway turned up nothing. Silva was still missing. Knowing she had only done a sweep of Mikaela’s room so as not to disturb her, Lindsey went back a second time to have a closer look. To her surprise, there was Silva, tucked away under her daughter’s bed.
Now, Dex was comfortable with pitbulls; he had grown up with them all his life. Lindsey, on the other hand, only knew of the horror stories about the breed she had seen on the news, so, of course, she felt uneasy. Without waking Mikaela, she quickly motioned for Silva to come out from under the bed and locked him back in the kitchen.
Silva Houdini
Lindsey’s middle-of-the-night searches continued for weeks. Though she was sure to secure Silva in the kitchen before retiring to bed each night, by 2 am, he had escaped. Then the routine would begin. Panic would set in, the search would commence, and Silva Houdini would elude her on several passes through the house.
Every time, the pup was found tucked away under Mikaela’s bed. This midnight madness continued for weeks until Lindsey finally broke down and complained to her husband. Dex’s reaction? He thought it was hilarious. As far as he was concerned, Silva was escaping to ensure Mikaela was safe. What more could a parent want than an extra set of watchful eyes on their child?
Consistency Is Key
Now, Lindsey wasn’t a stranger to dogs, only to the pitbull breed. She knew training was essential and that consistency was vital to ensure an obedient pup. So, she continued the nighttime routine, despite Silva’s uncanny ability to escape. Meanwhile, the dog was bonding with Mikaela. During the day, they were inseparable, palling around from room to room, slightly easing Lindsey’s fears.
Still, she wondered why this particular dog was so eager to escape his comfortable bed at night. Was he reacting to trauma from his last home? Or, was he that protective over their daughter, as Dex had suggested? The root of the issue aside, how was Silva opening the door? This dog was an enigma Lindsey needed to crack.
Exhaustion Took Over
Though Lindsey was dedicated to training Silva to stay in his bed throughout the night, the pup always managed to find his way to Mikaela’s room. Mama knew she was losing the battle and exhausting herself in the process. So, Lindsey tried to devise another plan to keep the pup from roaming the house freely at night. But the only other option she came up with was to have him sleep outside, a thought that broke her heart.
Of course, Dex was of no help with Lindsey’s dilemma. As far as he was concerned, Silva should be allowed to sleep in Mikaela’s bed. And so, Lindsey was left to her own devices to tackle the problem. She remained consistent until the day exhaustion took over. Lindsey accidentally slept through the night.
Rise and Shine
Until now, Mikaela struggled with her fear of being alone, often waking her parents for comfort in the middle of the night. As Lindsey chastised herself for missing her 2 am duty of corralling Silva, she suddenly realized that if she slept through the night, so did her daughter.
Sure enough, in came Mikaela at 7 am, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. For the first time in months, her daughter looked well-rested and happy. While this was certainly a pleasant surprise, Lindsey couldn’t help but wonder where Silva was. She ran to the kitchen and was shocked to see the pup lying on his dog bed. Had her effort been in vain? Was she losing her mind? What was happening?
Eye in the Sky
While this was an encouraging development in their daughter’s sleep pattern, Lindsey and Dex remained perplexed as to what exactly had occurred. Mikaela was not a morning person; in fact, she often woke up grumpy because of her lack of sleep. Not today, though; she was energetic and in an excellent mood. Dex had to investigate.
Lindsey’s exhausting training and Silva’s mysterious talent for escaping had the parents curious, but the change in their daughter warranted action. So, Dex installed cameras in Mikaela’s room and the kitchen to finally solve the mystery. After sending their daughter and the dog to bed, Lindsey and Dex watched the footage and were utterly shocked by what they saw.
The Video Doesn’t Lie
With Mikaela and Silva tucked into their respective beds, Dex and Lindsey braced themselves to watch the mystery unfold. Their adorable dog got up a few times, only to turn in circles to readjust and lay back down. Within a few minutes, Silva let out an adorable snore, a sure sign that he was sleeping. No clue there.
After zooming in on the kitchen door to verify it was tightly shut, they turned their attention to Mikaela’s room to see what was happening there. Their daughter, like Silva, repositioned herself a few times before her eyelids got droopy. Then she, too, fell asleep. Just as Dex and Lindsey considered giving up for the night, they noticed movement in Mikaela’s room.
Startled Awake
Dex and Lindsey watched their daughter begin to stir, and after a few tosses and turns, Mikaela surprised them by sitting straight up in bed. The parents could tell right away that their daughter was afraid. She clutched her blanket to her chin with clenched fists, and her eyes were wide as she stared into the unknown.
A protective mama bear, Lindsey’s first instinct was to run to her child’s side and embrace her in a comforting hug. However, knowing they needed to watch the events unfold to uncover the mystery, she fought the urge with all her might. Lindsey’s patience paid off. A minute later, Mikaela made a brave move that surprised both of her parents.
On a Mission
Dex and Lindsey watched in disbelief as their daughter pushed off her covers, got out of bed, and knelt on the floor. Then it dawned on them that she was doing a monster check, the nightly routine of inspecting under the bed usually performed by one of her parents. This was a brave and bold move for a child so small, right? Her parents certainly thought so. As they watched, beaming with pride, Mikaela then made another move.
Confident that no monsters would get her, the little girl turned toward the door. Of course, Lindsey and Dex assumed she was heading to their bedroom as she did most nights. However, to their surprise, Mikaela walked down the hallway instead. Wherever she was going, she was on a mission.
The Instigator
As you can imagine, Dex and Lindsey were glued to the screen of their computer at this point. Mikaela wasn't seeking their comfort after waking up in the middle of the night; she was on a mission to the kitchen. Silva's head rose to full attention as the young child quietly opened the door. It soon became apparent that this was their nightly routine.
When the Pritchetts realized it was their own daughter who was the instigator behind Silva's grand escapes, Dex began to laugh as Lindsey smiled with pride. There was no stopping this dynamic duo; all they could do was watch as Mikaela and Silva snuck down the hall back to the child's bedroom.
Cuddle Buddies
Lindsey couldn’t help but notice her daughter’s ability to gracefully lead this giant 80-pound dog. Silva, who she had considered a rebel of obedience training, was doing exactly as Mikaela asked. He followed the little girl into her room and jumped on the bed as she patted the sheets. As Silva lay down, Mikaela cuddled up right next to him and fell straight to sleep.
Dex had debated about buying the camera system as it was an unbudgeted expense. However, after solving the mystery and witnessing the beautiful bond between Mikaela and Silva, he knew it was worth every penny. Feeling at ease, the Pritchetts were just about to turn off the monitor when they saw their daughter stirring.
A Shocking Discovery
Though Dex and Lindsey thought they had seen it all, another miraculous moment was about to happen. After being asleep for just a few minutes, Mikaela suddenly awoke, startled and afraid. Of course, this also woke Silva, who began assessing the situation. The little girl started to panic as she scanned the room for her parents, hoping for comfort.
Lindsey fought the urge to come to her daughter's aid as Mikaela's lips began trembling, and her eyes grew wide with fear. Then Silva came to the rescue. The dog let out a subtle whine and began licking the little girl's face. With his paw, he beckoned Mikaela to lie back down, which she did! As he cuddled by her side, she began to relax. Dex and Lindsey were shocked and delighted; they couldn't believe what they had just witnessed.
Trying to Please Everyone
The Pritchett parents couldn’t believe their eyes. Their daughter, who had been on the verge of a fear-induced breakdown, was now relaxed and calm, petting her dutiful dog as she once again fell asleep. At that point, Dex and Lindsey were confident Mikaela was in good hands. They turned off the monitor and went to bed feeling relieved.
Are you ready for the kicker? When Lindsey got up in the morning, she walked into the kitchen to find Silva sleeping in his doggie bed! Trying to please everyone, the dog stayed in Mikaela’s room to ensure she was safe and sound before sneaking back to the kitchen to follow Lindsey’s instructions. Poor guy, when does he get to sleep?
Four-Legged Therapy
Though Mikaela seemed to be doing much better, Dex and Lindsey took her to their rescheduled appointment with the pediatrician. After describing her symptoms, the doctor diagnosed her behavior as monophobia, the fear of being alone. With Silva by her side, the panic subsided as quickly as it had occurred. That’s some four-legged therapy right there.
Over time, Mikaela outgrew her monophobia; however, her bond with Silva remained. As for Lindsey, the protective mama who was so concerned about the sleeping arrangements? She learned from the doctor that having a four-legged companion as a bunkmate was extremely beneficial.
Benefits Galore
Apparently, sleeping with a furry friend has loads of benefits. Scientific studies have proven that owning a pet relieves stress, depression, and anxiety. Sleeping with them by your side increases your sense of security, maximizes comfort, promotes theta brainwaves, and improves overall sleep quality. So, aside from the dog hair and the occasional paw in the back, sleeping with your furry friend can, in fact, improve your life.
As for Mikaela, having Silva by her side at night reduced her cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure allowing her to relax. Though Lindsey didn’t know it, Silva was the perfect solution to her daughter’s monophobia. And so, the question remains, was she now comfortable allowing a pitbull in her daughter’s bed?
The World’s Most Misunderstood Breed
Seeing how loyal and gentle Silva was with Mikaela warmed Lindsey’s heart, allowing her to trust her daughter’s furry friend. Sadly though, the pitbull breed remains misunderstood, despite their protective nature with children. Labeled as the most dangerous of dogs because of their muscular bodies and strong jaws, the pitbull gets a bad rap because of bad owners.
Any unsocialized and untrained dog can be dangerous, just as any human deprived of love and affection can become a threat. It all depends on how they are raised. Dex, Lindsey, and Mikaela found a loyal companion for life in Silva. But, then again, the dog chose them.
When Her Puppy Went Missing, She Never Thought She'd See It Again
Elena Sardi and Ryan Hood had a daughter who was crazy about animals. Indeed, the couple's four-year-old daughter always wanted a puppy, so when the moment arrived that the couple was able to get a Labrador puppy for her, they decided to make it a reality. And when Maia, the couple's daughter, saw the puppy, she was over the moon.
They immediately became inseparable. Maia would spend almost every waking hour with the puppy, who she named Sasha. But after only a week of having Sasha around, tragedy struck, separating Maia from her beloved dog. Maia, needless to say, was utterly devastated. But after days of Sasha missing, something unbelievable happened.
Excited
Maia could remember the day clearly. She was more than just excited. Maia's mind was running wild with eagerness, because today was the day they'd be getting a puppy.
They all crammed into the car so they could pick up the little fur ball. Maia simply couldn't contain her happiness at that moment, but little did she know that it would only take a few days for her whole world to suddenly crumble.
Adoption
When they got to the location, Maia's parents gave her complete responsibility over which puppy from the litter to pick and take home. So she adorably analyzed each of the tiny Labradors and finally settled on one.
The little puppy's eyes were simply too adorable for Maia to say no to. And as they were back in the car headed for home, Maia held the puppy in her arms, certain that they would be best friends. Unfortunately, nobody knew at this point that things would be taking a turn for the worst.
Tight Bond
Maia and the puppy immediately bonded. If they were not running around and playing, they were clasped to each other, seemingly inseparable. Elena and Ryan, naturally, were pleased with the decision they've made—their daughter was extremely happy, which made them happy, too. The little Labrador puppy seemed to hate being away from Maia, even for a little while, because it followed her everywhere she went.
After a week of bonding between Maia and Sasha, it was time for Maia's routine check-up, which meant that Sasha would have to be left home alone. It was a Monday morning, and Elena took Maia to the local doctor. It was a normal Monday morning, and there was no reason to think it wouldn't turn out just like any other. When the check-up was finally done, they went back to the car to head home. As they were pulling up to the driveway, Maia already started leaning onto the door of the vehicle, ready to jump out and greet Sasha.
Home At Last
When the car finally came to a stop, Maia jumped out and ran straight to the door, thinking that Sasha would be on the other side, ready to greet her with kisses.
As Elena opened the door of her home, she immediately knew something wasn't quite right. She gasped in horror, realizing that her home had been broken into!
Broken Into
The inside of the house was a mess—It has clearly been burglarized. Elena thought that the deed must have been done during the time she was with Maia at the doctor's office. In a state of shock, she phoned her husband, Ryan, and told him about what had happened.
Elena went through the house to determine what items had been taken from them. She learned that the thief had indeed stolen many valuable things. Included in which were jewelry, their passports, and even a rather pricey laptop. As Elena combed the place further to learn what else had been stolen, she realized something to her horror, Sasha was missing.
Puppy On The Loose
They looked everywhere for Sasha, who they initially thought must have hidden herself somewhere after seeing the bandits who broke into their home. Elena and Maia's hearts sank, as they considered the possibility that Sasha had been taken by the burglars. But they didn't want to give up just yet, hoping that Sasha was just around, hiding somewhere.
They searched every inch of the house, and every hiding place that Sasha might snuck into, but Sasha was still no where to be found. There wasn't even a smidgeon of evidence to suggested where she could have gone.
The Search
Ryan rushed home to check on his family and survey the damage. He knew he had to do something, and so he decided to get police involved. Seeing as his daughter was miserable about Sasha's disappearance, Ryan decided that they needed to comb the sprawling neighborhood and search for the puppy. He was still hopeful that they would be able to find Sasha, and he knew that every minute counted.
Unfortunately, they had no luck; they searched everywhere, but still found no sign of Sasha. The sun was setting, and it was getting dark, so with a heavy heart, they knew they had to cancel the search and head home.
Calling Out
The couple decided to spread the word about what happened in the hope that someone would tell them something that can help them locate Sasha. They printed flyers and handed them out to people all over town, and they took to social media to ask help from people who might have spotted the little puppy. They also visited scores of animal shelters in the off-chance that Sasha had been taken to one.
Unfortunately, nothing turned up that could help them locate Sasha. However, their unyielding determination to search for Sasha got the attention of the local news, who interviewed them about what had happened.
Lacking Vaccination
To make matters worse, Sasha hadn't even been vaccinated yet—they scheduled her to get her shots at the local vet, but none could have anticipated that she would be stolen before then. This meant that Sasha, wherever she was, would be vulnerable to all kinds of diseases. Even the slightest contact with another animal could get Sasha seriously sick.
The couple, of course, notified the relevant authorities, hoping that something could be done to locate the little puppy. But at home, they still had an incredibly difficult task ahead of them: to comfort their four-year-old daughter who was completely grief-stricken about losing her best friend.
Still Hopeful
Unfortunately, all the efforts in finding Sasha seemed to be in vain, as no one was coming forward to provide information on the missing puppy. With each passing day, the Sardi family was losing hope. Sasha was undoubtedly in the hands of the evil burglars, and there was little they could do.
Although the Sardi family was overwhelmed by the amount of support they've been receiving from everyone, all the effort they've expended to search for Sasha had taken its toll. They were tired and heartbroken. But something happened that took them completely by surprise.
One Morning
The next morning, Elena got up to make herself a cup of coffee. Everyone else in the Sardi household was still sleeping at this point, and suddenly, a shadow crossed the corner of her eye.
Elena turned to look at who, or what, it was. Through the window of the kitchen, she could see the the small dog house in the backyard that they built for Sasha—this seemed to be where the shadow that crossed the corner of her eye had been located. So Elena peered through the window toward the little dog house. Something was definitely moving in the area. She wondered for one brief moment whether it was just the swaying overcast of a tree, and decided to go to the backyard to get to the bottom of it.
Mysterious Visitor
As she opened the door to the backyard, it suddenly dawned on her that the moving shadows she just saw could be from the burglars that broke into their house—maybe they returned, she thought to herself, while suddenly being filled with terror.
She was now in the backyard, walking slowly toward the dog house. She was more confident at this point, after surveying the area, that she wasn't in any danger, so she called out the name that immediately came to her mind: "Sasha?"
Waking Up
Ryan and Maia were jolted out of bed by the sound of screaming coming from the living room area. It sounded like Elena, Ryan thought to himself. Naturally, they leaped out of bed and darted toward the sound of screaming.
Because of all that happened recently, Ryan was expecting the worst. His wife was screaming, after all, and he thought that she might have been in trouble. But when Ryan and Maia entered the living room and saw Elena, they couldn't believe their eyes.
Back Home
After Elena called out to Sasha earlier, Sasha, to Elena's surprise, suddenly came out of the shadows and ran towards her. Now, the whole family was together with their missing puppy, and the Sardis were in disbelief. They couldn't stop hugging and kissing Sasha!
It seems that the burglars had a change of heart, whether it was from fear that the microchip implanted in Sasha would eventually be traced or because they took pity on the scared little puppy, the Sardis would never know—but what was important was that Sasha was home at last.
Medical Check Up
Ryan and Elena decided to have Sasha checked at the local vet, since they had no idea what she'd been through, or if she'd acquired a serious condition while she was gone.
While Sasha was at the vet, they also gave her a round of vaccinations so she would be fully protected from the various diseases that are common among pets in the area.
A Miracle, Indeed
Although none of the items that were stolen had been returned, to the Sardis, all that mattered was that Sasha was home safe and sound. Maia now had her best friend, and Ryan and Elena are so happy that nothing untoward had happened to Sasha despite that she'd been missing for some time.
The local police have no idea how Sasha was able to return, but Ryan thinks that the burglars, for whatever reason, decided to return Sasha, and dropped the puppy over the fence the night before she was found. If Sasha's story seems incredible, wait till you hear about the story of another puppy in England.
The Mail Man
At another part of the world, continents away from the Sardi family; in Marsworth, Buckinghamshire, England, lived a man named Richard Guttfield, who was happily playing pool with his friend while his dogs, Fred and Wilma, were outside.
It was the day when Richard was expecting to receive a package from Amazon—he had ordered dog food online. The delivery guy showed up, and Richard no longer went out to meet him, fully expecting the package to be left by the doorstep, as per usual.
Delivery
Just as he expected, Richard saw that the package had been left in the drop box by his gate. But he noticed something else, too: one of his puppies was missing!
Richard was aghast to find out that Wilma, one of his puppies, was no where to be found. Richard considered that maybe Wilma ran away, and hoped the delivery man might have noticed something, so he called Amazon.
Blameworthy
Richard was in a state of panic—he loved Wilma, after all—but he tried to refrain from being accusatory as he spoke to the Amazon representatives over the phone. He told them that he was merely wondering whether the delivery man noticed anything about the dog that would help him to relocate it.
Richard thought that Wilma could have run away long before the delivery man arrived, or the delivery man might have accidentally opened the gate, letting Wilma out of the yard. Whatever the case may be, Richard thought that what was getting on his nerves was that Amazon was not responsive, and was practically indifferent to his situation.
Theft?
Richard considered that maybe the delivery man actually stole Wilma. And the more he thought about it, the more he believed it was likely the case. Naturally, the whole family felt outraged by the idea that a delivery man would just snatch up their puppy and run off.
So the family decided to take their search for Wilma a step further. They printed flyers, handed it all around town, notified the relevant authorities and created a campaign on social media, telling everyone about what had happened to poor Wilma.
Chain of Command
Richard's sister Lin, who was, like the rest of their family, fed up about Amazon's indifference to their plight, decided that the best course of action was to report the issue to someone high up on Amazon's chain of command.
Lin decided that the phone calls and pleas to the Amazon customer service representatives won't be working any time soon. So she searched online for an email address that they could write to, and she managed to find one.
Jeff Bezos Email
They sent an email detailing their horrible experience to none other than Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon. It was a bold move, but they were desperate to find Wilma.
It had been days since Wilma had been missing, and, so far, all their efforts had been in vain. They emailed Bezos as a last ditch effort, and while they didn't expect that they would be getting a response, Richard, one day, suddenly received a call.
Help On The Way
The Manager of Logistics for Amazon, Rob Levy, phoned them, and assured them that he'd be doing everything in his power to help locate the missing puppy.
Using Amazon's resources, Levy was able to locate the truck that made the delivery to Richard's home. And after a few hours, Wilma was back in her family's arms! The delivery man, as it turns out, worked for a company that was contracted by Amazon to make deliveries—and because of what happened, they were promptly released from their contract. The story of Wilma, if anything, makes one understand why dogs hate delivery men.