Bring Zoe Home

05/17/2026

UPDATE: ADOPTED! ❤️

Yesterday I went to the OC Shelter in Tustin. It's one of the nicest shelters I've ever been to. It's fairly new, built 8 years ago. It's massive and extremely clean. They have a senior pup there who looks so much like Zoe I had to go see for myself, despite when I called, they told me this dog, Liticia ID , arrived not chipped and not spayed. But if I didn't visit her, I'd always wonder. She looks so much like Zoe, it made my breath catch. But it's definitely not Zoe. I got to interact with this pup, and she's really shy and gentle. They had to remove her eye because it was ulcerated. I considered their foster program, but unfortunately, it doesn't apply for dogs under 25 lbs. It would be too painful for me to adopt her. I pray she finds her forever family. Here is a Youtube of this sweet girl posted by the shelter: https://youtu.be/v3ph76V-5dc?si=u3AMOPlC3k3eD19_

Today is exactly 1 year and 2 months to the date when Zoe went missing. Zoe, I think of you every day. I know you're out there and one day, we'll be together.🙏
https://bringzoehome.com/

04/30/2026

I was so worried about Moggie at Carson Shelter but this sweet senior was rescued by K911ResQ just in time! 🥰 Go to their page for updates on this little guy and to donate for his medical care 💜🙏 Thank you!

Send a message to learn more

04/15/2026

The Stroll for Seniors for Frosted Faces Foundation was a success! Over $52k was raised for much needed medical care for senior pets and for programs that keep beloved pets with the families who love them. I'm so grateful for this wonderful organization and everything they do for senior pets.❤️

It's incredible to think that a year ago, I never knew about Frosted Faces. It was only through my search for Zoe that my heart broke seeing so many senior dogs in the shelters and I knew I had to help. I wholeheartedly believe she guided me on this rescue journey, to my "foster fails" Tink and Murphy, to Frosted Faces, and to the other amazing rescues I've volunteered with and fostered for over this past year. I owe all of this to her.

Zoe, I can't wait for you to meet your brother and sister and I know that day will come soon.❤️🐾

https://bringzoehome.com

04/09/2026

The Stroll for Seniors 2026 fundraiser with Frosted Faces Foundation is this Sunday 4/12 at Lake Poway! I'm registered as Team Zoe and I'll be bringing my two senior rescue pups, Tink and Murphy. We're strolling in honor of Zoe. I know one day Zoe will come home and meet Tink and Murphy. ❤️🙏 If you want to help senior dogs, it's not too late! Every dollar goes toward helping senior dogs with their medical care as well as programs that keep beloved pets with their families who love them.
Click the link below and donate to Team Zoe! 🐾

https://givebutter.com/CAxC4a/team-zoe-4/sarahchen

04/08/2026

UPDATE: This pup is adopted!

Several people alerted me to a found dog who looked similar to Zoe, a black Brussels Griffon. She is currently at the Carson animal shelter ID and is on an ID hold, meaning she either has a microchip or ID tag. She's adorable but definitely not Zoe. She does have some Brussels Griffon in her, but she's much bigger and much younger than Zoe and her coloring and markings aren't the same. But she's so sweet and so very playful!❤️ I pray her mama comes for her soon! 🙏 (She's here playing with another sweet pup named Chocolate ID .)

https://bringzoehome.com/

04/01/2026

Someone showed me this story today and it's so heart-warming. I pray this will soon be me and Zoe. 🙏❤️🐾

A Southern California woman said it was nothing short of a miracle when her dog, who had been missing for five years, was found alive and returned home to her. Michelle Bluestone adopted Lola, a Sc…

03/24/2026

I got a tattoo over the weekend of Zoe's name where I can always see it. I wanted it done in similar font to Zoe's prayer box that I had made for her last year (thank you, Jan, for the prayer box suggestion!) I think the artist did a great job! 🐾❤️
https://bringzoehome.com

01/17/2026

It's a new year, a new year without Zoe. Today is 10 months to the day when Zoe got lost by the sitter. People have asked me, "When will you give up?" or "How long are you going to keep doing this?"

I've always been a glass half-empty type of person, but I quickly realized Zoe deserves better. She's taught me that in order to find her, it's critical I remain positive. I can't wallow or despair. Negativity accomplishes nothing, and if anything, that attitude will only hold me back and prevent us from reuniting.

So the next time someone asks me when I'm going to give up on Zoe, I will ask, "As opposed to what? Forgetting about her? Pretend she's not missing and that my heart isn't broken?"

I may not be posting as many signs in my neighborhood or passing out as many postcards. I'm not pounding the pavement like I did before. I'm hopeful and stubborn to a fault, but that doesn't mean I'm not a realist.

I spend several minutes each day checking the "found pets" on 24petconnect, Petco Love Lost, social media, and the shelters. I continue to physically go to the shelters at least once a week. The "Missing Zoe" sign remains on my car. People may think it's sad or delusional, but I don't care.

Hope is all I have left. If I have no hope, I have nothing.

https://bringzoehome.com/

12/18/2025

Yesterday was a tough day as it was exactly 9 months to the day since Zoe has been missing. I spent the day on the road going to the San Luis Obispo Animal Shelter to check on a dog that looked verrrry similar to Zoe. A black Brussels Griffon, 7 years old. The shelter said this dog wasn't chipped but I've heard stories where the chip moves under the skin and evades scanning. There were a couple other reasons why I didn't think it was Zoe, but if I didn't go see for myself, I'd always wonder. So I drove almost 5 hours there and after much back and forth with a shelter employee (why wouldn't they want the possible owner to be reunited with their pet?), I finally got to see the sweet pup only to confirm she is not Zoe. 😥

This brings up another thing: if your pet is chipped and registered with 24PetWatch (like Zoe is), you should be aware that unless you pay their $59.95 registration fee, they will NOT call you if someone finds your pet. They will only email you. I always check my spam so this is not an issue but still. And the customer representative who I spoke with was extremely pushy and trying to convince me to buy their lifetime protection plan.

Not only that but he said, "What if the family who may have Zoe has bonded with her? Would you want to break up this bond?" I was so stunned by this totally preposterous question. I wish I'd gotten a name of this person to report him. He should not be working at a pet microchip company.

I did research and learned it's a good idea to register your pet with multiple databases. I called Petlink and discovered Zoe has a Petlink chip so I have a lifetime membership for free. Thank goodness. They will call, text, and email me if someone finds Zoe. They put her in their "Lost Pet Gallery." I feel much better now that she's registered with them.

Here's a video of last Christmas where Zoe is playing with her turkey toy. 🥹❤️

12/04/2025

I've been quiet here lately but that doesn't mean I'm giving up on Zoe. I visit the shelters every week and check all the online listings of found dogs every morning and every night. I post signs near freeway offramps and hand out postcards. I will never give up on Zoe.

My life has changed significantly since Zoe went missing. I've changed. It's not all bad, however. I've been focusing my time and energy to rescuing and fostering dogs and it's given me a new purpose. It's impossible to visit shelters and not want to do more. There are so many neglected and abandoned pets out there, and it's the senior pups that hit me the hardest. I feel like I can never do enough, but I wholeheartedly believe Zoe has led me here for a reason.

I created a website dedicated to finding Zoe but it's also about my journey. I've listed tips on what to do if your pet goes missing or if you find a lost pet. I mention a few favorite rescues that I've either worked with or follow. If you find yourself in the same nightmare of panic and despair when a pet goes missing, I hope my website can be a resource or a source of comfort at the very least.
https://bringzoehome.com