‘No more cold nights’: Pet dog from Bristol lost for two years recovered in Exit 7 area

She’s been a mystery that went from yard to yard, businesses and churches in the Exit 7 area of Bristol, Virginia — a pet dog that lost her way two years ago after she ran from a dog sitter while her family was on vacation, somehow staying safe around one of the busiest exits packed with traffic off Interstate 81.

On the verge of a winter storm, Smoky Mountain K9 Search & Rescue owner Angela Fayard drove almost three hours, from Seymore, TN to Bristol, to take a chance at capturing the homesick pet. Setting up a trap off on Old Airport Road, Fayard’s effort paid off two hours later as the Dane mix couldn’t resist the meat placed inside a humane trap in the parking lot of Bojangles.

“I thought if I could just try, I’ll sit out here all night until tomorrow if I have to (to catch the dog). She went in (the trap) within two hours. Thank God, Thank God, Thank God,” Fayard said in a video posted to her organization’s Facebo

Officials at Bristol Virginia Animal Control & Shelter scanned an implanted microchip and it was a match. Her name is Astra and Animal Control’s Facebook page had pictures of the reunion with her owner.

“Yeah…(she’s) a good girl. Yeah, it’s OK honey. You’re gonna be safe here in a minute. (Animal Control officer) is on her way to get you in a warm truck. No more cold nights,” Fayard told the dog just seconds before the officer pulled up to complete the rescue.

(IMAGE: Property of Bristol Virginia Animal Shelter / Official Facebook)