When a beloved pet goes missing, time can feel like it stands still. For two families in the American heartland this September, that nightmare became reality—only to end in extraordinary reunions that showcased the power of technology, community, and sheer determination.
In Ohio, Pumpkin, a 15-year-old Portuguese water dog, vanished from her family’s lakefront home on the night of September 13, 2025. According to DroneXL.co, the elderly and deaf dog was lost somewhere along the rugged Lake Erie shoreline, a treacherous place for any animal, let alone one with mobility issues. For 27 agonizing hours, Pumpkin’s owner, Sonja Jarmoszuk, and a group of volunteers scoured the rocky cliffs and vine-choked embankments. But hope was fading fast as the reality of the terrain—and Pumpkin’s age—set in.
Then, a friend suggested calling Craig Fazenbaker, a former Marine and the owner of Grunt Deer Recovery LLC, a Geneva-based company that specializes in finding lost animals using thermal drones. Fazenbaker wasted no time. Driving out to Rocky River late Sunday night, he brought with him a DJI Matrice drone equipped with a thermal camera and powerful zoom lens—tools that could make the difference between heartbreak and a miracle.
"I had a gut feeling she was there," Fazenbaker later posted on Facebook, as reported by DroneXL.co. He launched his drone into the pitch-black night, scanning the steep embankment behind the house. The first sweep revealed nothing. Undeterred, Fazenbaker made a critical technical adjustment, switching the drone’s thermal color palette and lowering its altitude to 150 feet. Suddenly, a distinct hotspot appeared on the display—a living creature, unmistakable against the cold background.
"I got her, right out back!" Fazenbaker shouted to the family, confirming the heat signature was indeed Pumpkin, trapped near a dock at the bottom of a 70-foot cliff. The terrain was too dangerous for Pumpkin’s owner to attempt a rescue, so Fazenbaker took matters into his own hands. Navigating a rotted staircase and tangled vines in the dark, he made his way down the embankment.
"I picked her up, she sniffed my beard, gave me a lick, and her tail started wagging," Fazenbaker told reporters, according to DroneXL.co. After a grueling 20-minute climb back up, Pumpkin was finally reunited with her overjoyed family. It was a moment of pure relief and joy—one that underscored the vital role technology can play when guided by human expertise and courage.
This rescue marked the 15th successful animal recovery by Grunt Deer Recovery LLC in less than a year as of September 18, 2025. The company’s track record is a testament to both the advancing capabilities of drone technology and the dedication of pilots like Fazenbaker. The DJI Matrice, with its advanced thermal imaging and zoom functions, proved indispensable. But as DroneXL.co noted, "the technology is only half the story." It was Fazenbaker’s experience, intuition, and willingness to brave dangerous conditions that ultimately made the difference.
"Real talk, this was an incredibly difficult and high-stakes mission," the DroneXL.co editorial concluded. Flying a drone at night over water and near cliffs is a recipe for disaster in inexperienced hands. Fazenbaker’s professionalism and bravery turned what could have been a tragedy into a heartwarming victory—not just for Pumpkin and her family, but for the entire community watching with bated breath.
Meanwhile, in Lexington, Kentucky, a different drama was unfolding. On September 7, 2025, Lexi, a nine-year-old rescue Shitzu mix, slipped out through the garage and disappeared. Her owner, Brittany U’Wren, told Newsweek that the family was devastated: "Her absence left a void we could all feel, and it truly tore us apart." For six long days, the U’Wrens and their neighbors searched everywhere—posting flyers, sharing Lexi’s photo in local Facebook groups, and combing the neighborhood on foot.
"My two young boys waited up every night and woke up early each morning, hoping to see her again. They would go on walks, searching for her, holding on to the hope that she would come back," U’Wren said. As the days passed, doubt crept in. Would Lexi ever find her way home?
Then, at 6 a.m. on September 13, U’Wren’s husband went out to check a live trap near a creek bed and spotted Lexi walking down the street. He called her over and quickly got her inside. Lexi’s fur was matted with burs, and she was dehydrated and quiet, but otherwise healthy. The family was stunned and overjoyed. "We are thrilled that she is back home and healthy. She was roaming the streets of our neighborhood. People would spot her early in the morning or late at night on their walks or runs once a day," U’Wren told Newsweek.
Their reunion was captured on a Ring doorbell camera and shared on TikTok, where it quickly went viral—garnering over 1.5 million views and more than 182,000 likes in just days. The heartwarming footage melted hearts across the internet, with more than 400 comments pouring in. One user remarked, "Good job on not overreacting. I know when you got her inside, you were jumping for absolute joy." Another joked, "She’s yapping at you like you’re the one that made her run away." A third marveled, "6 whole daysss! So glad she made her way back."
U’Wren was moved by the outpouring of support. "What stood out most through this experience was the incredible support we received," she told Newsweek. "Family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers joined us day in and day out—more than 50 people were actively helping to look for her and checking in daily. The entire neighborhood was on high alert, and it was truly moving that so many people care. I am beyond thankful to be surrounded by such an amazing and supportive community."
Both stories, published on September 18, 2025, highlight the evolving ways people come together to save the animals they love. Whether it’s cutting-edge thermal drones or the determined feet of neighbors pounding the pavement, the common thread is clear: community, compassion, and the refusal to give up hope. In an age where technology often seems to pull us apart, these tales remind us that, sometimes, it can bring us closer—to each other, and to the pets who are family.
For the families of Pumpkin and Lexi, and for everyone who followed their journeys, the message is simple: never underestimate the power of a helping hand—or paw.