The heartbreaking story of Jasper, – a tiny terrier that bolted from his owners’ yard in Tucker on July 3 during the city’s fireworks show – has come to a satisfying, yet bittersweet ending.
The seven-year-old, 12-pound terrier was spooked during the finale of the town’s fireworks show and escaped from Carmen Gutierrez and Hartford Campbell’s front yard. Dragging his leash, Jasper ran across two major roadways to the LaVista Road Walmart. Several people tried to capture the fast-running, elusive dog, but failed.
Video surveillance cameras showed an unidentified couple leaving on foot with the dog from the Walmart parking lot, Campbell said.
Campbell and Gutierrez blanketed the town with flyers offering a reward for Jasper’s safe return. They received dozens of calls from people claiming to have their pet, but all turned out to be scammers trying to cash in on the couple’s grief.
While combing shelters and internet sites in an attempt to see if Jasper had been located, the couple on July 31 stumbled upon another dog being held at the Clayton County Animal Shelter. It was a terrier, like Jasper. And his given name? Jasper.
The couple visited the shelter and Gutierrez immediately put a claim on Jasper 2, a younger, scruffy version of her beloved pet, even down to his weight.
Gutierrez couldn’t officially claim the dog until he cleared a standard waiting period and was neutered, which resulted in weeks of waiting as the overcrowded shelter was running behind. Finally, last week, Jasper 2 came home.
“This little guy is a ball of fire and love,” Campbell said. “Ironically, this Jasper won our hearts.”
Campbell and Harris say they are still hoping and praying for the return of Jasper 1 and continue to circulate their contact information. Call (678) 663-3429 if you have any leads that might reunite them as a family of four.
