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The Delco Dog Detective finds the hardest to catch lost dogs in the Philly area

His eyes were smeared with black goo, his legs were caked in dirt, his back was riddled with ticks, and a chunk of fur was missing from his upper lip. And yet, Oreo, a 4-year-old shih tzu, blissfully bounded up the front porch steps of his Mantua home on a Sunday morning in April. He wedged his tiny frame between the door and the molding, a crumpled purple leash trailing from his neck, waiting until the knob turned and 22-year-old Jayda Pizarro appeared in a black hoodie and yoga pants. Her braces sparkled as she beamed widely and greeted her pup, who’d been lost in the woods for the last 15 days. Tears dripped from Pizarro’s eyes onto the tile foyer floor as she nestled Oreo between her cheek and shoulder. It was all in a morning’s work for 53-year-old Colleen Bell, who estimates she’s recovered nearly 1,000 dogs, both strays and family pets, over the last roughly 14 years.
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    Dana Munro
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    I cover breaking news and write general assignment stories. I'm interested in Philly's unique culture, fascinating characters and communities, and challenges faced by workers in the 21st century.