Family Searches Frantically for Lost Dog, Banjo

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A heartbroken Cutchogue family is searching for their lost dog, Banjo, who got out of his backyard on Wednesday.

Banjo, a six year old Labradoodle, was last seen on Highland Road in Cutchogue; he is white with a blue collar.

There were sightings of Banjo Wednesday in New Suffolk, said Betsy Terry, who added that she, her husband Dan and girls Abby, 19, and Martha, 16, have been searching round the clock, taking turns staying up at night to try and find their beloved pet.

There were no sightings on Thursday, and with the snow falling and temperatures plunging, the search has intensified.

The family, Terry said, has a fenced in yard, but the gate was left open by mistake and Banjo got out.

Banjo was adopted from the North Fork Animal Welfare League; he was originally owned by an elderly man whose wife had died and was no longer able to care for him, Terry said.

Banjo filled a place in their hearts that had been hurting since their previous dog, a rescue from Kent, had passed away.

"He's a wonderful dog," Terry said. "He's got this goofy, friendly, happy personality. Whatever you suggest sounds like the best idea in the planet to him. If you ask him if he wants to go upstairs, he just bounds upstairs."

A loving, happy dog, Banjo enjoys taking long walks around the block with Terry's father-in-law, who's let him off leash, but in the past, Banjo has never run off or bolted.

Even though the gate was left open by mistake, Terry said in the past, Banjo would never have run away; he'd just head to another entrance to the house or lie down and wait in the backyard.

But the family recently got a new puppy, Luna, and Terry said in the past few days, Banjo, who was at first very patient with the pup, letting her jump on him, was showing "little, uncharacteristic" signs that the new dog was annoying him.

"It was a sunny afternoon and maybe he just decided he was going for a walk," Terry said. "But he never crosses the Main Road. And now, his whole point of reference is gone. I think he's more than ready to come home, but he has no idea of how to get there."

Banjo, she said, does not like tall people or anyone in uniform; he loves women, children, other dogs and squeaky toys. The family has been driving for hours with Banjo's squeaky toys, hoping to draw him out to them. He also has a dog "best friend," and that family has been searching, too.

He's also likely hungry, Terry said.

Terry thanked the community for a huge outpouring of support so far, with friends and residents spending hours driving around and searching for him.

All they want, she said, is to get their precious dog home.

"Our lives have stopped," she said. "We're all looking for Banjo."

If you see Banjo, call 631-525-1826 or 631-734-7526.