Scotch Plains, N.J. – Meredith Davis returned from a family vacation to discover her 10-year-old dog Trouble had escaped a pet sitter’s yard days earlier. The small, all-white Shih Tzu-Maltese mix vanished from a fenced backyard in Garwood on March 31, leaving the Davis family in turmoil.[1][2] Now, a full month later, their desperate efforts continue amid fears for the senior pet’s well-being.
The Sudden Escape and Delayed Alert
The Davis family had dropped off Trouble and their other dog, Muppet, at the sitter’s home in Garwood on March 28. Trouble slipped away around 11:19 a.m. on March 31 from the backyard near Locust Avenue and Center Street.[2] Muppet remained behind in the yard.
Davis grew concerned after not hearing from the sitter for over a day. She reached out but received no response that day, despite multiple calls. The sitter finally texted on April 4, claiming Trouble had run away the previous day – a detail that later proved inaccurate.[2] That delay cost precious time in the initial search window. The family rushed home from vacation to begin looking immediately.
Exhaustive Search Measures Deployed
The Davises acted swiftly upon learning the news. They filed an incident report with Garwood police and contacted departments across Union County. Flyers went up in the area, and Davis knocked on doors while sharing posts on social media.[2]
Professional help followed. The family hired a drone service for $1,000 and a K-9 scent tracking team for $2,000. “We got a drone, we got a K-9 scent tracker,” Meredith Davis said.[1] The tracker led to Central Avenue in Clark, but no further trace emerged. Outreach extended to veterinarians, businesses, and residents with surveillance footage in Cranford, Clark, Westfield, and beyond.
Health Risks and Harsh Realities
Trouble requires daily medication for a back condition, raising alarms as the days turned into weeks without treatment. The senior dog, neutered and microchipped, faces vulnerability after so long on his own.[1][3]
The ordeal brought additional pain. Scammers bombarded the family with threats, including daily calls demanding $500 or claims of harming the dog. “We’re getting scam calls like every day, saying, ‘Oh, I’m gonna kill your dog unless you send me $500’, terrible,” Davis recounted.[2] “It’s like living in a nightmare,” the owner added.[1]
Trail of Possible Sightings
Leads surfaced early but faded. A Ring Neighbors post on April 1 captured a matching dog in a yard, prompting sitter comment. Other reports placed Trouble near Unami Park in Garwood-Cranford, on Grandview and Virginia in Westfield, and Boynton and Georgia streets in Clark, where he reportedly ran into a railroad park.[2]
Davis believes someone may have picked him up, perhaps without malice. The family urged checks of security videos and shelters. No confirmed matches turned up among strays brought in locally.
- Near Unami Park shortly after escape.
- Westfield: Grandview and Virginia streets.
- Clark: Boynton and Georgia, near railroad park; K-9 trail end on Central Avenue.
A Plea That Echoes On
“This is my first baby of 10 years,” Davis said of her bond with Trouble. “No questions asked, we just want him safe and to come back home.”[1][2] The straight-coated, unmarked white dog could be anywhere now. Those with information can reach Meredith Davis at 908-578-7953.[2]
As spring unfolds in Union County, the Davis household waits in limbo, Muppet alone and the ache unrelieved. The search persists, a testament to unwavering devotion amid uncertainty.
