Family Desperate To Find Tiny Dog As Blast Of Bitter Cold Hits LI

EAST MORICHES, NY — As Long Islanders are slammed by a bitter cold front, one family is desperate to find their tiny missing dog.

According to heartbroken mom Penny McWilliams, who lives in Islip Terrace, her family had an issue with their heater on Tuesday afternoon, so they went to her parents' house in East Moriches, to stay overnight.

Her two dogs, McWilliams said, are not familiar with the area and both ran out accidentally; although her puggle came back safely, Roxy, a 10-year old, 10-lb., cream-colored chihuahua, is still missing.

Roxy went missing from the area around Pine Edge Dr. and Sheffield Ln. in East Moriches.

McWilliams brought her puggle out on a leash Tuesday night, hoping her scent or sound would bring Roxy back — but there was no sign of her. McWilliams and her boyfriend searched with flashlights in the rain, wind and cold for hours, calling Roxy's name — desperate to find her. Her two children, Parker, 6, and Skylar, 3, just want their beloved four-legged friend to come home.

And as the temperatures plummet, McWilliams' fear escalates.

McWilliams has called all the area animal shelters and vets, but no one has seen Roxy. She's praying that her precious pup has found some sort of shelter from the frigid outdoors.

"It's so cold," she said.

If you see Roxy, call 631-682-7022.

Patch photo courtesy McWilliams family.