Look Who’s Home
Carjacking in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Missing for 4 days in Fort Lauderdale, FL… Casey is now SAFE & HOME!!! Here is Casey’s story
told by her owner…
November 15th I was bringing Casey, my 15 year old Jack Russel mix on a car ride to visit my Aunt
and cousin. I stopped at the Sunshine gas station at 9:30 am to grab a Red Bull and parked my car
in the front of the entrance door. I turned the car odd and told Casey I would be right back.
I left my keys in the ignition for 30 seconds and I went inside. As I was paying the cashier, I saw a
girl getting in my car and she started driving away with Casey inside.
The driver and I made eye contact and I had this horrible helplessness feeling while she looked
excited and had not a care in the world. It took me a minute to comprehend what was going on I left
the counter yelling as I was running after my car. I stopped when I realized I had no cell phone and
the first thing I needed to do was call the police. I ran into the store and the lady at the counter had
already called knowing I left in distress because my vehicle was just stolen… with my defenseless 15
year old dog.
I was frantic, thinking of things I could have done differently like running faster to open the
passenger door, not leaving my keys in the ignition, requesting the cashier to call the police before I
ran out so I could have followed them further. I know I sound very silly saying that because It could
have put myself and my dog in even more danger but I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. I was
trying my best to calm down and give the police the best description of what I remembered.
The detective was there in minutes and there were are already units searching for my vehicle and for
Casey. I got a hold of my family and friends to spread the word quickly as I began my nightmare
search for clues of where my car was, in order to find Casey… or the white car that the person who
stole my car jumped of.
I can’t even describe the emotions I was feeling at that time. It was pure panic… I couldn’t stop
thinking the most horrible thoughts. What if they hurt her? What if they put her in the trunk? What if
they throw her out the window? They could use her as a bait dog I was thinking… The thought of her
her in a fight with a bigger dog was unbearable. Would they get her high on drugs, neglect her…
Would they feed her??
I was terrified, sick to my stomach, and so disappointed that after 15 years of protecting Casey…
now this! I have always worried about her health and how long she would live. Everything I had
worked so hard for was all a big waste… I failed her! I was so shaken up that I could barely use the
phone or type. I had to have my brother create the first Facebook post to get the word out
immediately because I was useless. I was trying to find pictures of my car and the sticker on the
back it and a good picture of Casey. I needed people to have a correct description of my vehicle and
Casey so they could keep their eyes peeled for her.I am not a frequent visitor of that particular gas station but I the drive through convenient store I
usually go to was closed because an employee had locked herself out while changing prices on the
signs outside. The employee was waiting for the owner to arrive and could not open the doors when
I originally stopped for a red bull. This is what led me to stopping at the next gas station and I
thought that there was a possibility that the white car behind me had followed me from the previous
gas station.
After driving for hours looking for Casey, we all finally met at up at the house at 5pm for a quick
breather as driving around aimlessly was making me go crazy! I created my first flier and printed and
got them printed.
At around 5:30 the detective called me and my heart went from racing to a complete stop. He told
me they found the car and they have two people in custody. He mentioned knowing what my next
question would be… Did you find the dog? He sadly told me that they said Casey was dumped from
the car and they won’t fully mention where. I felt like I had just died! My first thought was that there is
no way I will find my dog in South Florida with this situation happening. We went to pick up my car
and received more information on how my car was found, who was driving and where it may have
been for the last nine hours.
The detective told me that the white Toyota Camry driving behind me, the owner had been wanted
for armed robbery along with many other frightening charges for more than a week. The Camry was
first spotted close to 441, the police followed the car to a house on NW 27th Ave & NW 9th Lane. My
car was sitting in front of the same house but my plates had already been taken off.
Once I was told Casey was not in the car and we didn’t know where she was… I began putting up
fliers and searching more. The neighborhood is known as being dangerous and I was driving my car
with no plates. I could tell that everyone was wondering why I was “creeping” around slow and didn’t
belong in the area. This is not a neighborhood That I would drive around in even but I was desperate
and willing to do anything. I even had people yelling things to me and because I just didn’t belong
there.
As each hour was passing, I felt my chances of bringing Casey home were becoming less and less
of a reality. I would go from being so angry at myself, angry at the the crook who stole my car and
dog, to being helpless and scared for what Casey could be going through at this vet moment. It was
the same feeling of a missing child, my dog is my family.
Once it started to get dark outside, we had to head home and come up with a better plan. My aunt
was absolutely disgusted by the situation and also thought that there must be a better way. We knew
we couldn’t do it alone and my aunt called various news channels to seek help. We needed the
news to help us find Casey and because the was so horrible… All the stations were calling to cover
my story and I was feeling relived in a way but also very scared. I knew that I only had one chance to
do this the correct way or I would regret every the wrong decision for the rest of my life. The thought
of me failing once was horrible but I couldn’t have this happen again, I needed to get all the help andsupport I could.
While the first news story was airing, I was outside filming another. The phone never stopped with
animal advocates wanting to help and give me their advice on what to do. There were hundreds of
social media sites that I needed to post on, along with finding all shelters, contacting businesses and
newspapers. My head was going to explode, I had no system to follow and couldn’t keep up. All day
I was receiving texts from friends, family, they were all asking if I have done this, that and the other.
I finally realized I needed help. I started asking different family members help me and I started a
check list. Craigslist ads, Shelter numbers, and all the different lost dog sites were quickly
completed. Later we went back and put up more posters up and down sunrise in all the businesses
with a$1,000 reward.
The next morning, while driving around I received a phone call from a random gentleman named
Brian. Brian saw my story and wanted to help as I was living his worst nightmare. Brian wanted to
help bring my baby back and he offered to raise my reward to $1,500. I started balling because I was
feeling so angry at society and I forgot that there were still many great people out there and I was so
grateful.
On top of everything, reporter Claudia Decampo had called me saying that PI Jamie Katz , the Pet
detective wanted to donate her services to me… she has great reviews and is well known. At this
point I didn’t even know what a pet detective could do or was! This was incredible and uplifting to
witness the community coming together to help get Casey home. To see all these people
understand what I had been going through, knowing the love they have for their animals and the fact
they all wanted to help. Of course I accepted to work with Jamie Katz, I was only flustered on how I
was going to make time to meet with more people which would take time from being out there on the
search!
The following day, I was basically a zombie… puffy eyes, red face, and just not feeling good. We all
met up for another news story and Jamie explained to me exactly what she does. I loved the sound
of everything she said and she couldn’t have been more approachable. My determination to find
Casey and hope were back! We ordered 60 large laminated signs and Jamie gave me a list of
exactly where to place each one of them.
Through my emotional rollercoaster of motivation, hope mixed with doubt, concern and depression, it
was the simple directions that was exactly what I needed to feel like I was “getting somewhere”!!!
At night, I would focus on growing my social media page, and for those of you who know me I
usually take no part in any of that stuff. I was able to reach over 3,000 people in less than two days.
Thank you marketing classes. By day 4 I was at almost 6,000! I felt so supported and knew that if
someone found Casey this would be the key in finding her. I was preparing another huge campaign
on Friday and was hoping the community would enjoy being involved.
I now knew that I would be bringing Casey home. I couldn’t believe how much support I was getting
when this was all my fault because I left the keys in my car! I was already receiving many callsconfirming they would love to be there. Along with many good Samaritans telling me they already
had been driving around looking, sharing and liking! I couldn’t thank everyone individually enough!
On Thursday night at exactly 6:00 pm I received the phone call that my dog is was at Animal Aid
from my Hero Margo Severini . At the tim and in my delusions, I doubted that it could even be true. I
requested a picture and the wait was intense. I don’t think I was breathing but I did not want to get
my hopes up as for I had already been let down many times. I opened the picture and knew right
away that it was Casey!! I almost blacked out from the amazing the feeling I felt.
Instantly my sadness was relieved and tears of happiness were uncontrollably falling from my eyes.
Stunned, satisfied and thankful, wouldn’t even give the emotion justification. I felt as if all the
sleepless nights paid off, and because of all of you, I will get to hold her again!
Not even knowing if this rescue was open or any details, we just jumped in the car. Animal Aid
stayed open late assuming I was on my way. I was silent the whole ride, it felt like hours when it was
only 20 minutes. We went to the back where the kennels are and there she was! She had already
had heard our voices and was ready to be saved. When I saw her, it felt as if my heart was healed,
as if I just woke up from my nightmare. Already forgetting the nights I could barely breathe and
couldn’t stop tears from forming no matter how hard I tried and how strong I told myself I was. How I
would shut my eyes and only see Casey up close looking at me. As if she was wondering where I
was sleeping too and if I was ok. A strange feeling, I wouldn’t even try to explain. I believe we have
the power to create a bond with our animals that goes beyond the naked eye. A connection where If
I hurt she feels my pain. And if she is hurt I feel her pain.
Last summer when I broke my foot, Casey randomly was too sore to jump on the bed, A few years
ago,when I had blunt trauma to my eye, Casey got cataract in the same eye and began to lose some
of her vision. These things may be unexplainable or maybe just coincidence but the truth is there
were positive moments through my mission that I felt Casey present with me, almost guiding me and
supporting me along with everyone else. I have gone days without seeing Casey and sometimes she
forgets to say hello because she was with my parents and knows I always returnk. But this time she
was shaking with excitement giving me fast kisses all over my face which any ordinary day she
knows she is not a loud to do. This is how I know she felt like something wasn’t right. How I know
animals share the same emotions we do and that they can love! I am sure she was scared and
lonely no matter how many people and dogs she may have been surrounded by. My heart was
healed, I could relax, my nightmare was over, my baby was home!
Animal Aid received Casey on Wednesday the day after my car was stolen from the mystery man,
Mike! He picked her up around 441 and Sunrise roaming the Streets. Unfortunatley, the contact
information to reach him on file is not going through so I may never get to thank him personally. We
have donated to animal aid and sent the actual reward to Margo. Animal Aid was so kind to
microchip Casey and this will not happen again. As for Casey, she has had her fair share on all the
news channels! Enough is enough J <3 I sure don’t want to do that ever again.
Although I have not yet met Margo, a very special thank you goes to her for following Casey’s storyand recognizing her in the shelter. I am also very happy to say that she is a dedicated cat trapper,
catching cats to get them spayed and in homes tokeep the stray count to a minimal. I am sure a lot
of the reward will be spent giving back to the community and helping the animals of South Florida!
However, buy something nice for yourself!!
Thank you, Brian, for reaching out to me to raise my reward by more than double. Thank you Animal
Aid for being a no kill shelter and keeping Casey safe along with getting her a chip!!
Thank you to all of Casey followers and anyone who prayed, shared, liked or physically went
searching for my girl, including the officers and police detective, who was so awesome and
informative to me. Words can’t express my gratitude. This happy ending was due to the community!
Also, thank you to all the News stations, Jamie Katz, Claudia Decampo, she spent a lot of time with
me in order to bring this story public. And of course, thank you to my family for staying strong with
me, having patience,helping me, and not giving up or thinking I was a crazy. Be safe out there!
I couldn’t have been more blessed this Thanksgiving. I hope you all have a safe and blessed holiday
season!