Photos: Jazzy's Angels Turn Out for Party to Celebrate Lost Dog's Homecoming

(See photo gallery below)

NORTH FORK, NY - Tears of joy flowed freely at Founders Tavern Wednesday as a team of volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring Jazzy, a lost dog, home, gathered at a party to celebrate her safe return.

"This little dog brought a town together," said Jennifer Giovanniello-Becker.

The crowd was joyful as they watched the guest of honor, Jazzy, who was treated to a pile of presents and doggy treats; she was hugged and petted by all invited and even posed for selfies with her adoring fans.

Eric and Sue Russell hosted the event, which featured pizza, sandwiches, salads and a beautiful homemade cannoli cake with an edible photo on top of Jazzy and her adoring mom Cathy Weschler, baked and donated by Lorrie Saporita of Saporita Sweets.

Jazzy received so many gifts that some joked it looked like Jazzy was getting ready for a wedding and having a bridal shower.

Guests shared stories of their week-long search for Jazzy and made a pledge to remain close in the weeks to come; Weschler said the group could gather for a puppy play date at the dog park.

When Jazzy, a white and tan Norwegian buhund, went missing a week ago Sunday, the outpouring from a concerned community was overwhelming.

Complete strangers became instant and likely, lifelong friends, sharing a text chain with updates, meeting at sites where Jazzy was spotted, and bringing a trap, food, treats, and hope, even when the dog was at her most evasive.

"I'm completely overwhelmed," said Weschler, Jazzy's owner, crying, as she hugged her found dog Monday. "I couldn't be happier."

She thanked the circle of supporters who've searched day and night. "I lost my dog for awhile, but I made so many new friends."

Jazzy was found in a field between Jasmine and Ackerly Pond Lanes; the trap donated by the North Fork Animal Welfare League was moved on Sunday by Barry Mann, who searched tirelessly with his wife Carol, to put it in spot closer to where she was last seen that morning.

The dog, three years old, looked none the worse for wear; she smelled clean and fresh and was happily surveying the crowd and tilting her head for stroking.

"It's amazing how much love we all feel for a dog we'd never even met," said Giovanniello-Becker, one of the many who was out looking even in the dark of night.

The list of names of people who opened their hearts is long. Together, they joined together to form a chain of love, including Maribeth Kilcommon, Mickey St. John, Yvette Arce, the Manns, Giovanniello-Becker, the Russells, Wendy Lechner, Michelle Wilinski and her kids, and so many, many more.

"It was a group effort," Barry Mann said Monday; the Manns transported Jazzy in the trap to the North Fork Animal Hospital, where she got a checkup from Dr. Jennifer Cabral.

"I'm so happy this was the outcome," said Donna Goldense of the North Fork Animal Hospital, who also lives on Jasmine Lane and was out searching, too.

Together, the volunteers spent hours searching trails, following pawprints, and sharing stories of the dogs they've loved.

When a text came in of a sighting, volunteers rushed to the spot, some throwing a coat over their bathrobes and others leaving bags of groceries in the SUV, just to help find her.

"This community has so much love," said Mickey St. John. "It makes me so happy to live in a place like Southold."

Of the heroes who have turned out to help, Weschler said, “I am so overwhelmed by the community support."

Weschler told Patch that Jazzy, who was adopted from a rescue organization in New Jersey had no idea how to find her way home — because she didn't know where home was.

“Poor Jazzy had it rough,” Weschler said. Her elderly owner has been very sick in the hospital, and had to surrender the dog. "She’s pretty much been in a kennel for a long time.”

When Weschler and her husband Chris brought Jazzy home, the Norwegian buhund immediately won the hearts of their five children, who range in age from 27 to 11.

At the party, Jazzy was safe on her leash. As she went outside for a walk, one guest called, "Hold onto that leash. Use two hands!"