Missing Puppy Found Safe In East Hampton: 'Our Hearts Are Happy'

SPRINGS, NY — A puppy who went missing — after his owner went to pick up a take-out order from a Springs eatery and returned to the parking lot to find the doors of his vehicle open and his dog gone — has been found, safe and sound.

Shucker was found early Saturday, a week after he was lost, his owner John said.

"He's very healthy and very clean," John said, adding that Shucker was found near where he went missing.

"It's fantastic," he said. "I'm so happy. Somebody was taking care of him."

Shucker was found with the help of trackers Teddy Henn and Eddie Stepinski, John said.

Henn was able to trap Shucker at 1:42 a.m. Sunday morning after a sighting. Henn headed to East Hampton, where he was met by Stepinski, who helped. Henn went back to the area once the camera alerts began after Shucker headed into the trap.

Describing the save, Henn said: "The wind was howling; the temperatures felt like 5-degrees. Once I found out there was a sighting and he wasn't in someone's house I immediately went out there. I was so worried for this little one freezing."

Henn had instructed Shucker's owner on what to do. "For three hours, his owner looked and walked his other dog, Shucker's brother, who Shucker loves — but he did not come out of hiding."

Eventually, though, Shucker was found and is now home safe.

To watch the video of Shucker being found, click here.

"It's great news!" said Charmaine Derosa, who helps rescue lost pets with Henn. "Our hearts are happy."

According to the dog's owner John, Shucker went missing between 8:25 p.m. and 8:35 p.m. a week ago Saturday from the parking lot of The Blend on Three Mile Harbor Road.

The puppy, who is just a few months old, was alone for less than 10 minutes while the takeout order was picked up, his owner said.

Shucker, he said, is a gentle dog: "He's a fur ball; he loves you and kisses you."

To donate to Teddy Henn and Long Island Dog Search rescue efforts, click here.