Boomer's Back: Stolen Blind, Deaf Dog Makes It Home

They were cold-hearted crooks willing to break into a family’s home, steal thousands of dollars worth of belongings and even the family’s dog, a blind and deaf 11-year-old Boston Terrier named Boomer, who meant the world to the family’s little girl, Emily.

In the end, the thieves kept the loot, but they just couldn’t bear to hang on to Boomer, who mysteriously and thankfully appeared at a family home in Decatur on Monday. That family called Boomer’s owners -- the Curlette family, of Tucker -- to say Boomer was safe and sound.

“Being reunited with Boomer last night was one of the happiest moments of my entire life,” said Ashley Curlette, Boomer’s owner. “I never knew how much we could miss a dog until he was actually gone.”

Boomer’s odyssey began on Friday, as Patch first reported, when the Curlette family was away. Burglars broke into the family home on the 2100 block of Brownings Trace, according to Curlette. In addition to the family jewelry and some electronic gear, the burglars took Boomer, along with his crate and blanket.

Also on Patch:

• Man Arrested at Border with 50 Turtles Tucked in His Underpants
• VIDEO: Giant Panda Cub Bao Bao Takes A Tumble
• Bear in Ridgewood Tranquilized While in Tree

Kelly Marriott, Ashley Curlette’s mother, told Patch at the time that Boomer’s disappearance was especially tough on her granddaughter.

“She’s been crying, walking around going, ‘Where Boomer? Where Boomer?” Marriott said.

Worried about her daughter and granddaughter -- and especially Boomer, who has cataracts and who would not have been able to find his way home if released -- Marriott sent a pleading note on Saturday to tips@patch.com, an email address staffed by Patch editors seven days a week.

On Saturday afternoon, Patch Assignment Editor Sydney Wu swung into action by calling the Curlette family to request a hi-res photo of Boomer. Within a few minutes, Patch had a photo and had published a story alerting DeKalb Patch readers to put out an APB for the lost pup.

Patch readers and editors have helped find numerous missing pets over the last few months, including, in July, a green parrot named Obie, who went missing in New Canaan, CT.

Other Atlanta-area media outlets joined the hunt for Boomer over the weekend. The DeKalb County police even put a detective on the case.

Perhaps the thieves started to feel the heat, because on Monday, someone dropped Boomer off at that home in Decatur. Soon, the aging terrier was reunited with the Curlettes, whom he greeted with sloppy dog kisses.

Not long after, he did what any terrier would do after so much excitement: he dug a little nook for himself in a sofa cushion and went to sleep.

On Tuesday, Patch received an email from Curlette, who included a reunion photo with Boomer. “Thanks again for your help!” she wrote to Patch. “Your initial coverage led to more coverage and Boomer coming home!”

“What kind of person steals a family pet?” grandmom Marriott said after the ordeal. “We can replace the TVs and jewelry and the damage to the house. But we can’t replace Boomer.”

And fortunately, they won’t have to.

»Boomer, beloved pet in the Ashley Curlette family, was reunited with his owners on Monday night. Credit: Courtesy of Kelly Marriott

===========

Have a news tip? Email deb.belt@patch.com. You can also post your own news, events and announcements on Patch by following these directions. Curious about how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it here and start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.