New Clue Heartens Family Looking for Dog Lost a Year Ago

It’s been more than a year since Kallie the sheltie got free of her leash and ran off. Since then, the dog’s owner, Joliet native Kiersten Girten, has been desperately trying to find any sign of her, and a recent tip may help her get her wish.

Kallie went missing Sept. 6, 2014. She was in the care of Girten’s mother, Bonnie Badurski, a Shorewood resident, who agreed to look after the dog for a six-month quarantine period that’s required before any animals are allowed into Australia, where Girten moved with her husband.

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While Badurski was walking Kallie, as well as Girten’s other dog, Lily, another dog came running up to them and frightened Kallie, who managed to get her head out of her collar and ran off.

Since then, many people have continued to search for Kallie with no luck, but a recent tip has provided new hope.

Girten said she received calls saying that Kallie was spotted four times in a field by the Pilot station in Minooka. But every time a volunteer has gone there to look, Kallie has run off.

Girten even had dogs tracking Kallie’s smell and they tracked her to the Pilot station, according to Girten.

But with those sightings, Girten said she’s received word that a trucker picked Kallie up and took her from the Pilot station.

“She’s very much alive,” Girten said.

Despite the advance in the case, Kallie is still missing. Girten is offering a $1,000 reward for her return.

If you have any information on Kallie and her whereabouts, contact 815-353-8598 or 309-824-0107. You can also keep track on the latest developments at the Bring Kallie Home Facebook page.