When Army Veteran Geoff Hoffman’s Oklahoma home was burglarized earlier this month, the thieves took his most precious cargo: his 3-year-old Pitbull named Bridget, KCNC reported.
But, Bridget was found on Christmas Eve after Hoffman took to social media, calling for his beloved pup to be returned to him.
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Hoffman’s home in Jones was broken into on Dec. 20, he wrote on Facebook, saying that the robbers took his “ever-adventurous sidekick and my eternal source of joy.”
“It appeared that they were going to steal my valuables, however they ended up only taking my beautiful dog,” he wrote.
https://www.facebook.com/geoff.hoffman.9/posts/10210104738285478?pnref=story
On Sunday morning, Hoffman’s girlfriend found Bridget curled up near some bushes on the side of a rural road, he wrote on Facebook.
“When she approached, Bridget started to wag her tail,” Hoffman said. “Typical Bridget.”
https://www.facebook.com/geoff.hoffman.9/posts/10210130344285612
Bridget was still wearing her pink flower collar with her name tag, but Hoffman’s number had been scratched off, he said. She was also wrapped in her leash, which Hoffman said proves she was “definitely” stolen from his house.
Although she had been found, she was also injured. Bridget had spent at least one night in below-freezing conditions, had several deep lacerations to her front left leg, and her eyes were red and swollen. She was also very dehydrated and had blood in her stool and a rash all over her body, Hoffman said.
“The poor thing was exhausted,” he said.
Hoffman met his girlfriend at an emergency vet clinic, where the he noticed that the twinkle in Bridget’s eyes and her “ever-present smile” were gone.
“But with lots of sleep tucked under the covers of my bed, a few hearty meals, and lots of tender living care, I know she will be good as new in no time,” Hoffman said. “Bridget is a soul full of love and affection. Nothing will hold down her spirit of love.”
Hoffman has started to post updates on Bridget’s condition on a Facebook page titled “Bring Bridget Back.”
https://www.facebook.com/BringBridgetBack/photos/a.387111838380591.1073741829.386768538414921/387348698356905/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/BringBridgetBack/photos/a.387111838380591.1073741829.386768538414921/388116588280116/?type=3&theater
Hoffman expressed gratitude toward those who helped him find Bridget.
“God forbid you ever [lose] a pet, but if you do, I hope you can use some of my ideas to help you find your loved one,” he wrote. “If nothing else, just remember thing one thing: don’t ever, ever, ever give up.”
A GoFundMe page has been created to help with the expenses for Bridget’s veterinarian bills.
(H/T: KCNC)