70 Days Later, Heartbroken Family Opens Hearts On Pain Of Missing Gigi

NORTH FORK, NY — More than 70 days after she went missing, a Mattituck family is missing their beloved service dog Gigi fiercely.

Kathleen Stewart DiSilvio opened her heart on Facebook this week.

"The days are over 70 since Gigi went missing. One might think each day would get easier or better. That’s not the case, for me, anyway."

DiSilvio described the pain of a home without her family's beloved dog. "I’m finding less and less of her black fur around. I actually now have to go looking for it underneath furniture. I couldn’t wait for the day to come that she didn’t need her crate anymore and I would get all that space back. But I cried so hard when my husband broke it down, as he couldn’t stare at it being empty anymore."

In addition, she said, both she and her husband, when Gigi disappeared, would call Penny, their terrier, by Gigi’s name 20 times a day, out of habit.

"That, too, has pretty much stopped. The kids are back to leaving their toys, shoes, socks, etc. on the floor. Gigi was a great at teaching them a lesson about picking up their stuff. I still catch myself warning everyone to pick up their stuff so Gigi doesn’t chew, slobber or bring it outside. Probably one thing that gets me every time is the cardboard tube from paper towels. She loved them. In the beginning, I was saving them for her return. Now I just start to cry and throw them out."

She added sadly: "We keep getting reminders from the vet that she is overdue for visits, shots, and medication."

The months have been long since Gigi was lost.

There have been moments of hope; recently, after searching since July for Gigi, the many community members who've banded together to help saw their hopes skyrocket — as a post circulating on social media showed a pooch, looking very much like Gigi, on the beach in Orient.

But sadly, that dog was not Gigi.

DiSilvio said Gigi is a black Labrador Retriever, just a year and a half old. She was last seen on Saturday, July 15, on Marratooka Lane in Mattituck.

But despite the rays of hope and optimism, grief blankets the family's home; her husband Michael, DiSilvio said, is also struggling with Gigi's loss, battling anxiety and PTSD. A combat vet, he served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY; he later served at Fort Drum in Jefferson County, NY.

Despite the many long days and nights without her, DiSilvio and her family have never given up believing that one day, Gigi would come home.

"I’ve always felt hopeful," she said. "I've never felt that she's no longer around. I truly believe that she is out there."

DiSilvio said she and her family want to thank the many who've come forward to help, making flyers and posting them, sharing Gigi's photo and story on social media, and rallying to search.

"I have people that pull up in cars in front of our house and just pray," she said.

Prayer groups are also remembering Gigi when they meet.

"All of us in our heart of hearts — we believe she’s alive," she said. "Every day when I wake up, I feel like today could be the day."

The community has been tireless in their support, she said.

"They write me, and we talk and pray together. Everything's just so positive — there’s nothing like it," DiSilvio said. "There’s an army looking for her."

Their family has gotten calls from as far away as Martha's Vineyard with possible Gigi sightings.
"All we can do is think about how we can repay these people, and thank everyone for their time," DiSilvio said.

Her family has said when Gigi is found, they'd like to host a meet-and-greet, so everyone can finally see Gigi.

DiSilvio is resolute in her belief that her family will be reunited with Gigi. "Love is going to bring her home," she said.

If you see Gigi, call or text 516-443-4902.