Golden retriever lost after tornado in New York found safe miles from home

The story of a pet lost in last week’s tornado in western New York has a happy ending.

For the first time in years, a series of at least four tornadoes caused severe damage in the region, with the strongest hitting Eden, located in Erie County, south of Buffalo.

The EF2 tornado reached wind speeds of up to 115 mph, destroyed numerous businesses and homes and prompted a state of emergency declaration in the town, where Zoey the golden retriever lives.

The 4-year-old golden retriever has been with Jeffrey and Colleen Smith since she was a puppy.

“She’s like a member of your family,” Jeffrey told Scripps News Buffalo on Friday.

‘You’re losing a loved one’: Eden couple search for beloved dog who went missing in tornado

But the couple was away from the dog last week when the tornado hit, traveling to Houston while Colleen underwent treatment for a stage 4 brain tumor. They told Scripps News Buffalo that their dog likely got scared and left the house in the middle of the storm Wednesday.

“Zoey is afraid of fireworks and loud noises. She came out, panicked, and was probably trying to get my wife and me,” Jeffrey said. “It’s like losing a loved one.”

The Smiths said 40 to 50 people helped them search for Zoey, and she was eventually found a few miles from their home.

This story was originally published by Julia Skeval on Scripps News Buffalo.