‘She was pawing and ringing the doorbell:’ Missing dog finds her way home on Christmas Eve

A Green Cove Springs family said one of their Christmas wishes was granted— their dog showed up to their door yesterday.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The Comer Family said their German Shepherd, Athena was missing for more than a week until yesterday, when they heard their doorbell ring.

“It was about 2:30 AM where she was ringing on the doorbell and pawing on the door. This was Christmas Eve morning. I woke up from it and saw her on the ring camera,” said owner Brooke Comer.

The family calls this a “Christmas miracle” after Athena found her own way home.

Brooke Comer says it was a brutal 9 days looking for Athena, and it took a toll on her four young children. She said it was nine days of heartbreaking moments and breakdowns.

“Since it was 2:30 AM, I tried to not wake up the kids, but they did wake up from the excitement,” said Comer.

4-year-old Athen got loose from the family home on December 15th.

Since then, the Comer family conducted searches and put up flyers, digital and hard copies. They said dozens of community members stepped in to help search for her- and go through hours of doorbell camera video.

Comer said people from Jacksonville and Saint Augustine reached out to her to help.

“I followed up on all the reported spottings. Many people saw Athena walking through different neighborhoods and that kept hope alive. I knew her she was still alive,” said Comer.

The family adds the experience has changed Athena. They said she is part Husky, but she has never had the husky howl until now.

“She has not stopped whining or howling since she’s come home. She’s definitely found her voice now.”

Athena was neither microchipped nor spayed. The Comer family said that will be the next step for them after the holidays.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.