Vet's Lost Service Dog Gigi Still Missing As Family Prays For Miracle
NORTH FORK, NY — Christmas has passed for a family desperately praying for the miracle of their lost service dog’s safe return — but hope remains alive, with donations for a reward topping $9,000.
After a Long Island veteran’s beloved service dog went missing in July, her heartbroken family — and the North Fork community that has rallied to help — want her back.
And now, a new grasssroots effort has kicked off with friends, neighbors and strangers donating money for a reward — with the fervent hope of getting Gigi home for the new year.
Find out what's happening in North Forkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
More than $9,000, and a GoFundMe, “Bring Gigi Home, No Questions Asked,” was created.
The effort was commenced by Nancy Blasko of Mattituck, who pledged $1,000 of her own money to offer as a reward. “I personally will give you a $1,000 to the person that leads to the return of Gigi, or returns Gigi themselves. No questions asked. Someone knows something. She didn’t just vanish! It could be even your neighbor that has her. This is our local veteran from our hometown. This is a service dog and a family pet. To the person that has her — no one knows it’s you, just drop her off at home! Do the right thing. No questions. Be the Christmas miracle in returning her.”
Find out what's happening in North Forkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Soon, in a heartfelt scene straight out of “It’s A Wonderful Life,” friends and neighbors, some of whom have never even met Gigi, began commenting on the Facebook post, offering their own donations.
Someone offered $500. Another, $50. One woman said that she did not have much to give but would like to donate $25, to bring Gigi home. One after another the donations are pouring in, a flurry of love and hometown spirit, with a belief that if love is enough, Gigi will be home for the new year, curled up safe and warm in her family’s arms.
Kathleen Stewart DiSilvio said Gigi is a black Labrador Retriever, just a year and a half old. She was last seen on Saturday, July 15, on Marratooka Lane in Mattituck.
But despite the rays of hope and optimism a few potential sightings have offered, to no avail, grief blankets the family’s home; her husband Michael, DiSilvio said, is also struggling with Gigi’s loss, battling anxiety and PTSD. A combat vet, he served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY; he later served at Fort Drum in Jefferson County, NY.
Christmas was especially hard, DiSilvio said.
“She is so much a part of Christmas, from ‘helping’ us wrap, to laying on the paper so you wouldn’t. She would unwrap the gifts before Christmas Day. She would sniff them out.”
DiSilvio added: “She made things a little difficult, but you couldn’t help but laugh. She just wanted to be a part of everything. She loved to lay under the tree on the skirt. We had to twist tie and or move the ornaments up a notch.”
Last Christmas was only Gigi’s first, DiSilvio said. “This would be her second. Her birthday is right around the corner after the holidays and she will be turning 2.”
Her voice filled with tears, DiSilvio said while it’s hard to talk about — the grief and yearning are still too real and raw — she and her family want Gigi’s story to remain out there, for the search to continue. It has to, she said — because in their hearts, they believe she is alive and waiting to be reunited with her family.
No matter how many presents were piled under the tree, her family, she said, shares only one wish: “To bring Gigi home. It would be a miracle.”
Blasko said after reading a recent Patch article about Gigi, now missing 122 days, she felt compelled to help.
“It breaks my heart to see Kathleen, Mike and their kids hurt,” she said. “I talk to Kathleen often. After reading the Patch article, I just felt we had to get it out there. I know this time of year is hard for families, but a reward could help them. I really do believe she is out there. My heart feels like she is close. Someone knows something, and just staying out of it. I pray hard for Kathleen and her family. I pray the person who knows something or has her will just return her.”
There’s another reason Blasko wanted to do something to help a family wreathed in grief this holiday season. “20 years ago when my mom was sick with cancer, the community donated to her, to help with her medicine and when she needed a car. The church family came helped. It’s my turn to help a friend.”
DiSilvio said the family has also been working with the Facebook group “Missing Angels – Long Island.” if Gigi is found and the person who returns her does not want the reward, the money raised will be donated to a charity, with an eye toward giving back after such a huge outpouring of love.
The search for Gigi been long and filled with pitfalls, including false sightings and “missing” posters that were constantly and mysteriously removed.
Despite the many long days and nights without her, DiSilvio and her family have never given up believing that one day, Gigi would come home.
“I’ve always felt hopeful,” she said. “I’ve never felt that she’s no longer around. I truly believe that she is out there.”
DiSilvio said she and her family want to thank the many who’ve come forward to help, making flyers and posting them, sharing Gigi’s photo and story on social media, and rallying to search.
“I have people that pull up in cars in front of our house and just pray,” she said. Prayer groups are also remembering Gigi when they meet.
“All of us in our heart of hearts — we believe she’s alive,” she said. “Every day when I wake up, I feel like today could be the day.”
DiSilvio is resolute in her belief that her family will be reunited with Gigi. “Love is going to bring her home,” she said.
Blasko wrote on Facebook on Christmas Eve: “I don’t have the Christmas miracle to share. But, one day,” she prayed.
Some have asked the question of to return Gigi, if you have her. You can either contact Kitty DiSilvio at the number below or reach out to Nancy Blasko on Facebook. “We can meet at a place so it’s a safe spot. No worries about that,” she said.
If you see Gigi, call or text the DiSilvio family at 516-443-4902.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.