Dog Lost for Months in the Woods Finds a Home Thanks to One Woman’s Patience and Love

Stephanie and her husband Paul live on a mountainside so wild animals often roam by their property. But on one particular day, Stephanie spotted a thin white animal she first thought was a coyote — but it turned out to be a dog.

She began noticing the dog on her trail cameras, both around the house and in the nearby woods, and soon learned that he had been missing for months after escaping from a new home. Determined to help, Stephanie started leaving food out and worked with authorities to set up a trap. But the clever dog, whom they named CJ, refused to go inside. It was time for another plan.

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Stephanie figured they should begin to try and coax the dog to them. But that too was a challenge. The first time he saw the couple, he bolted away. The good news – he began to come back every day for food. Stephanie grew increasingly concerned for CJ’s safety, knowing there were coyotes and bears in the area. Slowly, she began trying to coax him closer.

It took two more months before CJ finally approached her, and during that time, their bond grew. Toys were a turning point and helped win his trust.

Although Stephanie had never owned a dog, she was determined to rescue CJ and reunite him with his owner. But when the owner stopped responding, she faced a new challenge: where would CJ go once he was caught? She couldn’t bear the thought of him ending up in a shelter after he had finally begun to trust her.

In the end, CJ made the decision for her. He started showing signs that he wanted to come inside, and when he finally stepped into their home, he never looked back. With the help of a local rescue, ownership was transferred, and now CJ is officially part of Stephanie and Paul’s family.