D.C. dog goes lost in storm, is found

On Thursday, a day of deluge, damage and tragedy, a beloved dog fled her Northeast Washington home and vanished. She apparently spent the night amid rain, thunder and lightning.

But for Asia, a medium-size black Labrador retriever/collie mix, the outcome was better than in many of the week’s storm-related events.

After a long chase through Northeast, three D.C. police officers took Asia into custody Friday morning at Gallaudet University.

It was not clear why officers had pursued her, but the chase ended about a mile from Asia’s house, which is at 16th and Rosedale streets. Asia had run out when workers came in. Asia, said owner Chris Maier, is “not used to strangers.”

The workers first looked for her and then called Maier, and he and his girlfriend searched for hours in vain. But after many calls to the D.C. animal control unit, Maier was told Friday morning that “something just came across the police radio” and that “it may have been your dog.”

It was. When they were reunited, Maier said, a tail-wagging Asia was truly excited. But on Saturday, he said, she still seemed “just sort of worn out.”