ROCKPORT — Just after 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and as a storm approached, Jack, a 9-year-old black Labrador, tore off into the woods behind his home at 103 Mistic Ave. in Rockport, trailing his leash behind him.

Despite a long night of searching by family and friends, jack remained missing — until his owners, La Tanya and Rod Beck discovered he had spent the night in vestibule of P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center on Camden Street in Rockport.

La Tanya reported that when she and her husband went to P.A.W.S. around 9 this morning to post flyers about their missing dog, who looks and acts like a puppy and was last seen wearing a bluish collar with a choke chain, tags and the black leash, they learned from staff that Jack was there.

“I received a phone call from a woman an hour later who said her friend, Keith Bush, found Jack this morning near Spears Auto Repair and Goose River Golf Course on Park Street and brought him to P.A.W.S.,” said La Tanya. ”We can't thank Keith enough for this. We also thank many of our concerned neighbors and friends who helped in the search, especially Kim Coyle, Jim Dill and Lynda Clancy. Thanks to all of your efforts Jack is home safe and sound.”

Like many dogs, Jack is very afraid of storms and loud noises. When he went missing Thursday evening, La Tanya said that If anyone sees him, he usually will respond to his name or "treat.” 

“What a great community we live in! Thank you, everyone,” said La Tanya and Rod Beck in an email Friday morning.

Most towns in the Midcoast have leash laws, so roaming dogs are usually not a common sight. To report a loose dog, call your local police department, county sheriff’s office and/or animal control officer. P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center and Pope Memorial Humane Society in Thomaston are both equipped to take in stray pets so they can be reunited with their owners. Social media also plays a big hand in reunited lost pets with their owners, and PenBayPilot.com is also a valuable resource to access a variety of community resources both through its website and social media network.