Community members are helping a 93-year-old Southern California man search for his missing dog, which he calls his beloved companion.
Last weekend, Norman Feigenbaum took a quick trip to the supermarket, but when he returned, he discovered that his 7-year-old yellow Labrador, named Sunny, had somehow escaped from his West Hills home by running through a fence in the backyard.
Feigenbaum had adopted Sunny about four years ago from an East Los Angeles shelter. Its previous owner had apparently died, and Feigenbaum nursed the skittish dog back to health.
Since then, Sunny has been a happy and dependable friend to Feigenbaum, who now lives alone.
“In the end, this became our home,” Feigenbaum told KTLA’s Rachel Minnitoff. “She is a loving, kind, gentle dog and I have to find her.”
Someone reportedly saw Sunny on Roscoe Street, about a half-mile from Feigenbaum’s home, but the trail has since turned cold.
now, search and rescue dog days, A SoCal-based nonprofit focused on finding missing pets is stepping in to help.
Workers are asking residents in the West Hills area to check their doorbell or home camera footage for Sunny, dating back to Oct. 4, and keep an eye on her around open spaces.
However, if Sunny is spotted, it is not recommended to approach her.
“We don’t want anyone to try to catch the dog, pursue the dog or chase the dog,” said Jennifer Justice, spokeswoman for Dog Days Search & Rescue. “We really need them to call us and tell us the area, the cross street and the time of day which is very important.”
While the search for Sunny continues, Feigenbaum said he hopes his dog remains safe and they will be reunited soon.
“It’s lonely without her, really bad,” he said.
Sunny does not wear a collar, but she is microchipped, so she can be taken to any local vet for a check-up.
Anyone who spots Sunny is asked to call Dog Days Search and Rescue at 805-405-9485 or Norman Feigenbaum at 818-422-9842.