Happy Ending for Lost Dog, Banjo, Home Safe After Surviving Snowstorm

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A Cutchogue family got the happiest ending of all Sunday when their lost dog Banjo was found safe and sound — even surviving Saturday's snowstorm out on his own.

Dan and Betsy Terry said Banjo, a six year old Labradoodle — who went missing Wednesday after a gate was left open accidentally — was spotted Sunday by a woman who'd seen Banjo at a historic home on the Village Green on Main Road in Cutchogue.

The woman had read a Patch article about the lost pup and recognized him.

The Terrys live less than two minutes from the Village Green; Terry threw on his coat and hurried over; his father, who'd also been searching, headed there, too.

They had a squeaky toy, which Banjo loves, and once they called his name and squeaked the toy, Banjo came right out to his overjoyed family.

"We're thrilled," Dan Terry said. "We'll be able to sleep tonight."

Banjo, he said, is a bit "shaky," and tired, his white coat a little bit dirty. He came home and had something to eat and drink, and was cuddled on his dog bed Sunday night with his little pup sister, Luna.

His homecoming, after Saturday's snowstorm, is nothing short of miraculous, Terry said. "He rode out some of the worst weather we've had all year."

"We're so happy to have him home," Betsy Terry added. Her whole family has been searching day and night for their precious Banjo, taking turns staying up all night to scour the neighborhood. "Our lives have stopped," she told Patch after he went missing. "We're all looking for Banjo."

The Terry family wants to thank the entire community for their support, for turning out to help search after hearing about Banjo's disappearance.

"Whether or not they had a dog themselves, people were on your side," Terry said.