New Hampshire bands together to help family find lost dog
By Jon Schoenheider
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MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (WMUR) — A Nottingham family is finally resting easy after their 4-year-old dog, Comet, was found nearly a month after going missing.
Jenna Jordan and her husband adopted Comet in December 2020 from Pope Memorial Humane Society in Dover. The Shar Pei mix was part of a litter named after Santa’s reindeer, given their birth month.
“He put his head right in my hands, and we were like, ‘Oh, he’s so sweet!'” Jordan recalled from the first time meeting him.
Comet not only became an important part of the family, but also joined just six months before the birth of their daughter.
The role Comet would play became even greater when their little girl was diagnosed with leukemia in her early years. Now in remission, the two bonded during her time in recovery.
“Our dogs are our family. He’s obviously especially important to us because we’re so bonded to him with everything we’ve been through,” Jordan said.
Close to five years later, on Oct. 20, 2025, Jordan went out to get the mail. Comet followed her outside, but soon went missing from the yard. After a two-hour search, the family notified Granite State Dog Recovery, which began to issue notices for the missing dog.
“It was something that seemed just like a typical moment that isn’t anything that was too crazy, until he didn’t come back,” Jordan said.
The family immediately launched a search, making a concerted effort to spread the word about Comet.
“We wanted everyone in the state to know who he was, and I think we got pretty close,” Jordan said.
Word of Comet’s disappearance spread across New Hampshire, as Jordan posted on community message boards, went door to door to ask neighbors, and spread fliers across communities. It was then that Jordan started to get dozens of tips, word of sightings, and support from people she had never even met.
On Nov. 17, after nearly a month, the family got a call from Granite State Dog Recovery, saying they were able to capture Comet in a dog-friendly cage after following one of the community sighting tips.
“You kind of have that moment where you’re like, ‘Is it actually our dog that’s in the trap?’ asked Jordan. “So when we had that moment when we pulled in and saw him in there, it was just so much relief and happiness.”
Comet was rushed to the hospital, weighing just 32 pounds, less than half his original weight. He also had porcupine quills in his shoulder, causing him to limp.
Veterinarians later discovered damage to his lungs, which is proving to be detrimental to his breathing.
After the long search, everyone is now waiting for word about Comet’s recovery. Much like there was while he was gone, there are already fundraisers underway to cover his medical bills.
“They were in it just as much as we are, and they’re in love with him as much as we are now, too,” said Jordan, reflecting on all the Granite Staters who have come to their family’s aid. “I know everyone’s anxiously awaiting updates, and they want to see him come home.”
Comet remains in the hospital, but the family hopes to bring him back this week.
For other pet owners, Jordan recommends using a GPS tracking collar to prevent similar situations from happening.
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