by A 93-year-old man in California found an ingenious — and unexpectedly heartwarming — way to bring his lost dog home.
Norm Feigenbaum, who lives with his 7-year-old rescue lab named Sunny, went grocery shopping on October 4 when the unthinkable happened — Sunny vanished. According to Dog Days Search and Rescue, the loyal yellow lab had scaled the backyard wall, apparently trying to follow Feigenbaum to the store.
“I really thought she was gone,” Feigenbaum told ABC. “The house was barren without her.”
Posters, Coyotes, and a Community Search
Refusing to give up, Feigenbaum reached out to Dog Days Search and Rescue, a volunteer group that helps track missing pets. They immediately began putting up flyers with heartfelt messages like,
“93-year-old owner missing his best friend!”
and
“Do not chase!”
For nearly a week, there were no signs of Sunny — until a woman spotted her wandering in a nearby nature preserve, about a mile from Feigenbaum’s home. But time was running out. The area was known for coyotes and had limited water sources, making it a risky place for a lost dog.
Dog Days volunteers quickly set humane traps, hoping to bring Sunny to safety. But one very personal touch made all the difference.
The Power of ‘Smelly Socks’
“The whole thing is probably due to my smelly socks, actually,” Feigenbaum said with a laugh.
The team used Feigenbaum’s unwashed socks to create a scent trail, leading from the area where Sunny had been seen to a trap. His familiar scent worked like magic. Within just 30 minutes, Sunny followed the smell straight into the trap — and was finally safe.
Dog Days Search and Rescue took Sunny to the vet for treatment of minor cuts and bruises, and then came the long-awaited reunion.
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As volunteers watched, Sunny wagged her tail and beamed with joy when she saw Feigenbaum again. “She was smiling from ear to ear,” one volunteer told.
A Reunion Worth Framing
Back home, Feigenbaum says he plans to honor the unusual rescue in a special way.
“I’m not going to wash the socks,” he joked. “I’m going to put them in a frame and hang them on the wall.”
Dog Days Search and Rescue later shared the story on social media, where it quickly went viral — with thousands praising Feigenbaum’s creativity and the volunteers’ dedication.
Sunny is now safely home, getting extra cuddles, treats, and plenty of head rubs — and Feigenbaum says the house finally “feels alive again.”
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