Happy Ending for Missing Dog Involved in I-85 Car Wreck
Photo: Courtesy Eric Love
A happy ending over the weekend for a Franklin County family whose German Shepherd went missing last week after a bad wreck on I-85.
Last Monday, Karen Love and her husband were on their way back to Atlanta from their home on Lake Hartwell with their son’s dog Georgia when they were hit by a drunk driver.
Their SUV flipped and rolled over several times before skidding to a stop on its roof.
Miraculously, no one was hurt but the Love’s son Eric said in the confusion, first responders said his dog got out of the car’s broken window and ran.
That launched an intensive, week long search for the missing one-year old dog. His parents stopped by 92.1 to drop off flyers and signs were posted at area shelters and vets offices.
We also followed the search on our Facebook page. The family even created a special Help Find Georgia Facebook Page. Still no sign of her.
By Saturday morning, dozens of volunteers had gathered at the Flying J off Exit 160 to spend the day searching for her, but then it happened. Eric says a friend spotted her close to where the wreck happened.
“Starting about 10:30a Saturday morning, I got a call from Ava McNease,” he said. “She had been helpful all week and she said she spotted Georgia on her way to work at mile marker 158. So I posted that on Facebook while we were getting ready to drive up there. Then about 11:15a a stranger called to say he had spotted Georgia at 158 also.”
That good Samaritan waited for Eric and his friend to drive up from Atlanta. When Eric arrived, he saw his beloveddog stick her head out of the woods.
With a full tummy after a week in the woods, Georgia falls asleep in the back of Eric’s car. Photo Courtesy: Eric Love
“We all got out of the car and walked about 20 yards north on I-85 south and she popped her head out of the woods,” he said. “I ran up there and I was actually talking to someone on the phone about where she was and she started walking towards me through the woods, realized who I was and then just ran up into my arms.”
Georgia was dehydrated, and had some ticks on her but was otherwise OK. The accident had taken place last week near mile marker 155 and Love said he’s thankful for all the help from the community to find his dog.
“I thank everybody for all their hours of searching,” Love said. “I think it helped that so many people were going out to keep her in the area and make sure she didn’t leave the accident scene and wander too far away.”
Eric said he treated her to 3 cheeseburgers, bacon, and two bags of dogs treats. He said Georgia has been sleeping a lot after her ordeal, but on his FB page, Eric thanked everyone for their help.
“Words cannot express the joy I have at this moment. My deepest appreciation goes out to everyone who has thought about us, prayed for us, looked with us, and now celebrates with us!” Love said Saturday. “This is the day that The Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!”