For A Lost Pup From Holmdel, 2024 Finds Him In A Loving Home

HOLMDEL, NJ — It turned out to be a good year after all for a lost and matted dog found in Holmdel recently.

The dog - not chipped and a little frightened - was spotted in Holmdel Park in late November. Police captured him and put out his picture in the hopes his owner would rescue him.

But the dog had to be placed at the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown, where he was cleaned up and checked over and ultimately put up for adoption.

That's where a Holmdel family entered the picture, SPCA officials said.

Charles Hooven of Holmdel said something about the dog just moved him - and hundreds of Holmdel residents also commented on the police department post, hoping the dog would find his home.

Hooven said his family has small dogs and cats and took the pup - named Snickerdoodle by the SPCA - to heart.

The family followed his progress and was ready to pick him up as soon as he was put up for adoption, said the SPCA.

"The timing was perfect," Hooven said. He happened to be in the area of the SPCA, inquired about the dog and was able to adopt him.

And he said the family - including the other dogs and cats - couldn't be happier.

Snickerdoodle is now named Thunder. As his name suggests, he lopes energetically through the house and makes quite a sound.

"We were going to name him Chance," said Hooven. But Thunder it was for this bundle of energy, Hooven said.

Hooven said he understands that Thunder and his mother were just abandoned and left to wander. Thunder is some sort of a doodle dog, said Hooven, and a similar breed of a female was found in Deal. She has also been adopted, Hooven said.

Thunder not only had no chip, he wasn't even neutered. "He was totally neglected," Hooven said.

Holmdel police were first alerted to a loose dog in the area of Holmdel Park in late November. And they were able to catch him Nov. 27. He was friendly, they reported, but apprehensive.

He appeared to have been on his own for some time, police said.

Patrolman Joseph Disko is the department’s Humane Law Enforcement Officer and helped get the lost dog into safe hands at the SPCA - and ultimately to a new home to call his own.

And for Hooven, he says Thunder is a real find.

"The dog is just great," he said.