Operation Odie: Pilcher Park Tries To Find Lost Stuffed Dog's 'Person'

JOLIET, IL — A stuffed dog named Odie left behind at Pilcher Park Nature Center Aug. 10 has taken on a life of his own, as staff at the center share his adventures while he waits for his "person" to return for him.

The tan and brown stuffed dog with one cocked ear is clearly loved, but perhaps newer — his fur still looks clean and soft, and not terribly worn. But someone, somewhere, is missing the little guy, and the Pilcher Park staff is determined to reunite them.

He was first discovered left behind by a maintenance man last Tuesday.

Since then, Odie has done some adventuring. In a series of touching posts, Odie is shown meeting snakes and tortoises, and staring out windows looking for his people. He's studied maps of the center's 700 acres of trails. He's even stepped outside to "smell the flowers," all while the staff hopes his owner notices — or is notified of— the pup's absence via the posts.

Realistically, Odie's people could be anywhere—perhaps in the south suburbs, or maybe his owners were just passing through, and now they're farther away. But that won't stop staff from trying.

We know Odie's just a stuffed animal and all, but why is this making us so sad?

The staff's plight for the pup's reunion with his owner has captured many hearts on Facebook, with hundreds of shares of several of the posts, and many followers saying they're actually distraught for the "stuffie."

Contacted via Facebook, staff at the nature center said their goal is simply to get Odie back snuggled with his owner, and no one takes credit for the social media posts.

Anyone who might recognize Odie is encouraged to contact Pilcher Park at (815) 741-7277. The center is located at 2501 Highland Park Dr., in Joliet.