The Miraculous Recovery of a Dog Named Amber

What started as a typical Tuesday turned into a nightmare for the Shulman family, when their two-year-old dachshund mix, Amber, bolted from home, then vanished into the busy streets

The Shulmans had only recently adopted Amber, a shy rescue pup, after the tragic death of their previous dog, a beloved six-year-old dachshund who died unexpectedly under the care of a local pet sitter. Amber had brought healing and joy into their lives. But on that February afternoon, with Jenna’s husband out of town on business, the unthinkable happened when a dog walker let Amber loose without her leash, and she immediately fled.

Though Amber wore a named collar with phone contact, no one got close enough to read it. Her harness, equipped with an AirTag, was not installed. Amber was gone, as the trail grew cold.

Over the next 12 days, the Shulmans embarked on a rollercoaster search, filled with near misses, false leads, and moments of despair. They were quickly advised by mutual friends to contact Norma Shohet, an experienced pet recovery volunteer known for her expertise. Jenna stated, “At first, we were shocked by how strict and specific her instructions were. But because we listened — we now owe her everything.”

Shohet explained that Amber, like most lost dogs, went into “survival mode,” a behavioral state where fear takes over and even the most loving owner becomes a perceived threat. “Calling her name, chasing her, offering treats — none of it works,” Shohet said. “We had to completely reframe how we thought about this rescue.”

Following Shohet’s guidance, the Shulmans created a “comfort station,” combining scents from Liquid Smoke, warm beef broth, and their worn clothing. They set up cameras in strategic locations and deployed humane traps baited with enticing foods with odors that could lure a fearful dog.

As dozens of large, attention-grabbing signs went up around Lenox and Piedmont Roads, sightings trickled in, some credible, some wild.  Each tip had to be fully investigated.

After nearly two weeks, the Shulmans began preparing their sons, 12 and 9, for the likelihood that Amber wouldn’t return. And then … a miracle occurred: on day 12, a security guard at Chase Bank saw a dog matching Amber’s description and called the number.

Shohet rushed to the scene with her scent-rich supplies, prepared to set up a comfort station, camera, and trap. After five tense hours, Amber was finally lured out of the woods. In a moment that still feels surreal to the family, Amber recognized the scents, and she was scooped up without needing the trap.

Amber’s return sparked celebration throughout the community. “We had strangers putting up flyers, walking the streets, cheering us on,” Jenna said. “It was incredibly moving.”

The Shulmans want to help others understand what really works when a dog goes missing: “Don’t chase. Don’t call. Don’t assume they’ll come to you,” Jenna emphasized. “And if someone connects you with Norma — do exactly what she says.”

Since Amber’s return, the family has taken extra precautions including a GPS-enabled, Wi-Fi-accessible collar that stays on Amber at all times.

Shohet, a Hebrew teacher at Temple Sinai, began her work in pet recovery nine years ago when a lost dog was sighted in her neighborhood, and she wanted to help. During the process, she met well-known pet recovery specialists who taught her the correct protocol for finding lost pets. Since then, she has helped reunite hundreds of pets with their families across Metro Atlanta and beyond. Her adventures often take her far from home, into the woods, and into the night. “Helping people bring their dogs and cats home is immensely rewarding,” Shohet said. “I’ll keep doing it for as long as I can.”

Jenna concluded, “Since Amber’s rescue, Norma has assisted many others — and continues to field new calls from desperate families on a near daily basis. Thanks to her, it isn’t just pets who are rescued — it’s a renewed faith in humanity.”