Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery

05/28/2026

Some rescue stories stay with you forever. Not because of the heartbreak they began with, but because of the hope they leave behind.

It’s always incredibly heartwarming to see our rescue stories being shared again, even years later. From the very beginning, my hope has always been that these journeys would do more than tell a story, that they would educate, inspire, and remind people that even in the darkest moments, miracles are possible.

Ella’s story was one of those stories. The kind that wraps around your heart. Truly chicken soup for the soul.

This morning, while scrolling through Facebook drinking my morning cup of coffee, I suddenly stopped when I recognized a familiar little face. There was beautiful Ella, a rescue that I had helped back in 2023.

Behind that photo is a journey of fear, uncertainty, resilience, and ultimately love. Seeing her now, thriving, content, and cherished, is the kind of ending every rescuer dreams of. The kind that makes every sleepless night, every tear, every mile, and every ounce of effort worth it.

Stories like Ella’s are gentle reminders that rescue changes lives not only for the animals, but for all of us lucky enough to witness their journey. And sometimes, years later, they still find a way to warm your heart all over again.

On a cold, rainy January day in Pennsylvania, a woman named Karen looked out into her yard and spotted a heartbreaking sight — a white dog curled into a tight ball in her flower bed, soaked, trembling, and clearly exhausted. 🐶💔

Wanting to help, Karen brought the frightened dog a warm blanket and a bowl of chicken soup. The hungry pup gratefully drank every drop before disappearing again into the cold. Worried for her safety, Karen contacted Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery, and rescuers encouraged her to leave out more food in hopes the dog would return.

Thankfully, she did. The exhausted dog came back and spent most of the day resting on the blanket Karen had left for her. Later that evening, rescuers carefully set up a kennel trap nearby. After hours of waiting, the dog finally walked inside and was safely rescued.

What happened next shocked everyone: the dog had a tag on her collar. Her name was Ella, and rescuers soon discovered she belonged to MatchDog Rescue and had been missing for two weeks after escaping from her foster home. During that time, Ella had traveled more than 12 miles alone in the freezing weather.

As rescuers learned more about Ella’s story, it became even more emotional. Before coming to the United States, Ella had survived as a street dog in Mexico, relying on the kindness of locals while pregnant with puppies. MatchDog Rescue helped save Ella and all of her babies, cared for them, and later brought Ella to the U.S. to find a forever home.

After surviving life on the streets, motherhood, and then going missing in the winter cold, Ella’s journey finally got the ending she deserved. Just weeks after being found safe, Ella was officially adopted into a loving forever home. ❤️🐾

05/28/2026

Many of you may remember Fiona, the beautiful little fox I captured back in February after she was found suffering from devastating injuries and severe infection to her back end. At the time, her future was uncertain, she needed a miracle…and thankfully, she found one.

The incredible rehabilitator Karen Cooper, alongside the compassionate and talented Dr. Raicer, worked tirelessly to save her. For nearly three and a half months, Fiona received around the clock medical care, rehabilitation, patience, and love. Every day was another step toward healing.

Today was the day her story finally came full circle. I drove down to Manalapan to pick Fiona up and make the journey back to her home territory in Basking Ridge. It felt almost surreal knowing that after months of treatment, she was finally going back where she belonged.

She gently poked her head out of the crate, pausing quietly as the breeze carried the familiar scents of home. You could almost see the recognition in her eyes. Slowly and cautiously, she stepped forward into the grass, taking in the world she hadn’t seen in months.

Then, with a light little trot, Fiona disappeared into the fading sunset free once again.

Somewhere out there, hopefully not too far away, is the family she once knew before injury and survival separated them for all these long months. And maybe tonight, beneath the stars, she’ll find her way back to them.

Happy trails, sweet Fiona. May the rest of your story be wild, safe, and beautiful. 🦊✨

05/27/2026

Through my years in rescue, I’ve had the privilege of crossing paths with some truly incredible people and organizations (like the Sato Project and Fi)people whose passion, heart, and dedication to animals inspire me every single day. Some of those connections have turned into lifelong friendships, and I’m endlessly grateful for the community this work has brought into my life.

One of those people is Melissa Giordano. ❤️

Melissa has dedicated her life to turning compassion into action, and it was such an honor to see her story and mission highlighted on the Doobert podcast. Rescue work is not glamorous. It’s exhausting, emotional, unpredictable, and often heartbreaking, but people like Melissa remind us why we keep going.

The animal welfare world needs more humans willing to show up, think outside the box, and fight for the voiceless no matter how hard it gets. I’m proud to know her, proud to call her a friend, and proud to stand beside so many amazing people doing this work every day.

Give this podcast a listen and show some love. 🎧 https://doobert.com/melissa-giordano-turning-passion-into-lifesaving-action/

From rescue and transport, to recovery and reunions, it takes an entire village of compassionate people working together to save lives.

Sometimes the biggest impact starts with simply saying yes to one animal in need. In this episode of the Top Dog Podcast, Melissa Giordano, Rescue Partnership at Fi, shares how a vacation to Puerto Rico changed the course of her life and sparked a lifelong passion for animal rescue.

From helping transport dogs off the island to supporting shelters and rescues through Fi’s GPS tracking and microchip programs, Melissa discusses the importance of compassion, foster support, and giving animals the safety and second chances they deserve.

She also shares powerful insights about fostering, why judgment has no place in rescue work, and how even small acts of kindness can completely change an animal’s future.

🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode here:
https://doobert.com/melissa-giordano-turning-passion-into-lifesaving-action/

📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday, featuring powerful conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

05/26/2026

WELCOME HOME, SHAKEY ❤️

Seven days ago, Shakey jumped from a car window in the parking lot of a hiking area in Ithaca, NY and vanished into the woods. Like so many lost dogs, fear and survival instincts took over, making every moment feel uncertain and heartbreaking for those who love him.

Today, Shakey is HOME SAFE!
A compassionate Good Samaritan at Buttermilk Falls State Park recognized him after seeing one of his posters and immediately made the connection that led to his reunion. This is exactly why we stress, over and over again, the critical importance of posters during a lost dog case.

Posters are still the NUMBER ONE way to generate sightings that lead to reunions.
Not everyone is on social media. Algorithms fail. Posts get buried. But a bright, visible poster placed directly around the community where a dog is traveling can be the difference between a dog remaining lost and a life changing phone call.

Please trust the process and trust the importance of posters.

Welcome home, Shakey. ❤️

05/25/2026

Eleven days ago, Leo’s world changed in an instant.

A truck ran a stop sign and violently crashed into the car he was riding in. In the chaos and terror that followed, the truck driver opened the car door and Leo, frightened beyond comprehension, bolted. He ran straight down Route 23 and disappeared into the woods.

What followed were days filled with heartbreak, determination, and unwavering hope. Posters covered the area. Feeding stations were carefully placed. Drones searched from above. Yet despite every effort, Leo seemed to vanish without a trace. For seven long days, there were no sightings at all. Then, hope flickered.

A passing motorist spotted Leo taking shelter from the rain inside a covered bus stop only a quarter mile from the crash site. Wanting desperately to help, they stopped to approach him, but Leo, still trapped in survival mode, panicked and bolted once again. He sprinted directly across busy Route 23, down an embankment, and disappeared back into the woods.

But those woods held a trail system we had focused on from day one because of a previous case I had worked in that very area. Something told us Leo was there. A trap was strategically set with the hope that he would circle back. Brianna (Leo’s mom)and I spent an exhausting night sleeping in our vehicles nearby, hoping for even the smallest sign of him. Still, Leo remained elusive for five more agonizing days.

More feeding stations were placed. Additional cameras were carefully positioned along the trails and on a neighboring business property that backed up to the woods. Night after night, the cameras captured bear after bear wandering through the darkness including none other than local celebrity bear known as “Tank” but still no Leo.

Until today…five days later, Leo finally appeared at one of our feeding stations and on two of our trail cameras. The moment Brianna saw him, she raced down the trail. She heard rustling in the brush… then suddenly, Leo stepped out into the middle of the path.

Calmly, softly, Brianna called to him.
And after 11 days of fear, survival, exhaustion, and uncertainty… Leo ran straight into her arms.

After countless miles hiked, sleepless nights, tears shed, and every ounce of hope poured into bringing him home, Leo is finally safe and sound where he belongs.

This reunion would not have been possible without the incredible support of the community. Endless gratitude to Ted for so generously flying his thermal drone, Melanie from Wantage Animal Control, the owners of PJ Electric for allowing access to their property, Kyle and his family for their kindness and cooperation, and every single person who prayed, shared, searched, and refused to give up on Leo.

Stories like Leo’s are a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope is never truly lost. Sometimes love, patience, persistence, and faith are what guide the lost safely home.

Welcome H❤️ME Leo!!

05/24/2026

After 11 long days on the run in Hamburg, NJ following a horrific accident, Leo is finally home safe and sound. His incredible story of survival, resilience, and the many people who never gave up on him will be shared soon…but for now, it’s time for everyone, especially sweet Leo, to get some much-needed rest. ❤️

05/15/2026

I’ve been trapping and recovering lost dogs for close to 20 years now. Over that time, I’ve watched countless people come and go in rescue, and I truly believe it’s a positive thing that more individuals are becoming involved in lost dog recovery. More awareness and more people willing to help animals is always valuable.

However, one growing concern I’ve had and one that many seasoned recovery professionals discuss regularly is the increasing reliance on large enclosures or “Missy traps” as the first and often only method of capture. A longtime colleague of mine, who has been doing this work just as long, if not longer, and I have had many conversations about how dogs are becoming increasingly more difficult to trap, and we believe this trend is playing a significant role.

What we are seeing is that many newer rescuers are defaulting immediately to enclosures, often because they appear more advanced, more impressive, or are easier to procure in certain situations. Meanwhile, dogs that could have been safely and successfully captured in a standard box trap are instead being conditioned to larger containment systems from the start.

Why does this matter? Because dogs learn. Especially dogs in survival mode or street dogs. These animals are incredibly intelligent and highly adaptive. Once a dog has been trapped in a particular type of setup, many become what we refer to as “trap savvy.” They remember the experience. They associate the enclosure with danger or confinement, making future capture attempts significantly more difficult.

This becomes an even bigger issue when these dogs enter the shelter or rescue pipeline and are transported long distances to rescues in other regions. We all know how many newly transported rescue dogs go missing shortly after arrival. In fact, the overwhelming majority of the lost dog cases we work involve newly adopted or recently transported rescue dogs.

So now, the very dogs that were previously captured in large enclosures are loose again in unfamiliar environments and when they’ve already become wary of those setups, recovery becomes exponentially harder.

A standard box trap should always be considered the first line of defense whenever appropriate. It is one of the most effective foundational tools in lost dog recovery and often prevents unnecessarily creating a trap savvy dog too early in the process.

To be clear, enclosures absolutely have their place, and there are cases where they are invaluable. They are often necessary for dogs that are too large to comfortably or safely enter a traditional box trap, or for dogs that have already been trapped previously and have become hesitant or resistant to smaller setups. But an enclosure should generally be your last resort, not your first.

They should not automatically become the default starting point simply because they look bigger, flashier, or more sophisticated.
If you are serious about lost dog recovery, invest in learning proper trapping strategy and invest in proper box traps. The goal should never be what looks the most impressive, the goal should always be what gives that dog the best possible chance of being safely recovered, not only once, but again if tragedy strikes in the future and often times it does.

These dogs deserve thoughtful, strategic recovery methods that prioritize their long term safety, future success, and the best possible chance at a second recovery if they ever need it again. Not trends, shortcuts, or optics.

05/02/2026

We are so incredibly happy to share that Spoon, lost in Blairstown, is home safe and sound.

Earlier today, we began working with his family, setting up cameras and feeding stations on the property, knowing that indoor cats typically stay very close to their point of escape. The goal was simple: get eyes on him and confirm he was still nearby.

When indoor cats go missing, they often don’t go far, they hunker down, silent and hidden, waiting until they feel safe enough… or hungry enough… to emerge. And tonight, that moment came.

Spoon showed up at the feeding station. I immediately called the family, jumped in the truck, and headed over to set the trap, but before I could even arrive, his family was able to safely secure him. 🙌

A perfect ending. A patient, strategic approach. And a family reunited.

Welcome home, Spoon 🥄 🐈‍⬛

04/17/2026

What people don’t see are the behind the-scenes moments in rescue, the variables, the curveballs, and the absolute necessity of always having a Plan B… and sometimes even a Plan C.

While working the New Windsor, NY stray dogs, our original strategy was to set the enclosure to trigger via remote control. Everything was meticulously prepared. The enclosure was set, the system tested multiple times, and the remote was functioning perfectly. Then came the waiting game, six hours spent in a hot truck, patiently holding out for the right moment.

Finally, the dogs arrived.

They entered the enclosure… cautiously at first, then all the way in, exactly as planned. They were fully in position, right at the back. The moment we had been waiting for.

I clicked the remote.

Nothing.

Clicked again.

Still nothing.

At that exact moment, when everything should have gone according to plan, it didn’t. What we hadn’t accounted for was our proximity to Stewart International Airport and the signal interference likely caused by airport security measures. The remote signal was effectively being blocked.

Both dogs were standing inside the enclosure, and I was there… repeatedly pressing a button that had suddenly decided it no longer had a job.

And just when you think you’ve seen it all… the skies opened up. A full-blown monsoon rolled in, drenching everything in seconds and with it, our backup laser system shorted out. Because of course it did. Timing is everything in rescue… and sometimes, the timing has a sense of humor… I wasn’t amused.

But this is exactly why we plan ahead….Plan C.

Thankfully, we had a second backup laser on hand, ready to go. We were able to pivot, again, in real time and successfully execute the capture.

This is the part people don’t often see. Everyone assumes lost dog recovery is as simple as placing a trap and waiting for that magical “gotcha” moment. If only it worked that way. The reality is that every capture is a carefully orchestrated operation, layered with strategy, experience, and the ability to adapt instantly when things go sideways…because they will.

We have to be prepared for every possible hiccup, equipment failure, environmental factors, the unexpected and have solutions ready before the problem even presents itself.

Even after nearly two decades in the field, I am still learning. Every case teaches something new. Every challenge sharpens the process. And that constant evolution, anticipating the unthinkable and always being ready to pivot, is what ultimately turns lost into safe and found.

04/16/2026

Lately, I’ve felt a bit like a ping-pong ball, moving from one rescue to the next. In between the constant travel from case to case, I’m also consulting non stop, guiding families and rescues even when I can’t physically be there.

Clover recently escaped from her foster and took off into the woods and a surrounding nearby solar farm, but most importantly, she stayed close to her point of escape. The rescue reached out to us immediately, and we were able to quickly guide them on the right approach.

We advised setting up a feeding station at the point of escape and having the foster quietly sit butt to the ground at the wood line with high value, “stinky” food. It required patience and trust in the process, but after over two hours, sweet Clover finally gave in and decided it was time to go home.

This is exactly why understanding lost dog behavior is so critical. Lately, we’re seeing simple, proven practices being overlooked but when they’re followed, they work.

By being able to guide and support from a distance, we’re still able to help facilitate so many safe, successful outcomes.

A sincere thank you to Animal Alliance of New Jersey and the amazing Annie Trinkle for always trusting in my process. We are beyond overjoyed that Clover is safe and sound, right where she belongs. 🍀