Blaze Finds His Way Back Home
Published on September 30, 2025
It didn’t have the drama of “Homeward Bound,” or “Milo and Otis.”
But Blaze the Husky’s journey back to his birth “parents” is inspirational, nonetheless.
Allegheny County Jail (and Animal Friends) employees remember Blaze, who arrived at the jail in July.
Purchased initially from a husky breeder near Harrisburg, Blaze came to Animal Friends as an underweight stray. Blaze was renamed Niko by his incarcerated handlers. Blaze/Niko worked on his manners and gained weight while in the jail and later left the facility with some health issues and did not return to jail (though his name did revert to “Blaze”).
Meanwhile, Danielle Richwine, who bred Blaze’s litter, likes to check in with the families who adopt their puppies during their first year to see how the dogs are growing and if there are any concerns.
She was unable to reach the woman Blaze was sold to, and “knew something wasn’t right,” Richwine wrote in an email.
Richwine began scouring websites of Pittsburgh-area dog rescues. When they checked the Animal Friends website, something clicked.
“They sent us pictures of him as a puppy and when he was first in his new home – and it was him,” wrote Katie Vecchi, the Animal Friends Chief Shelter Operations Officer.
The Richwines drove out to pick him up on Sept. 18, and he recognized them right away, walking up to their daughter and sitting down next to her.
Danielle reported that he is back with the Richwines and “living it up” with his parents and siblings – both canine and human.
The time Blaze spent at the jail seems to have made a difference.
“We want to thank you all for the training and care you provided our boy while he was with you,” Richwine wrote. “His manners are improving and he’s adjusting very well.”
Blaze will celebrate his first birthday on Nov. 23.
Media inquiries may be directed to Jesse Geleynse, Public Information Officer for the Allegheny County Jail
jesse.geleynse@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-350-1267 or 412-760-4760 (cell).