Jennifer Grant has spent the past three weeks searching for Grimm, the dog she considers a member of her family. Sleepless nights, constant worry and the uncertainty of not knowing where he is have taken an emotional toll, but she refuses to give up hope.
Grimm, a Belgian Malinois shepherd trained as a service dog, disappeared after running into the woods during a late-night bathroom break. Despite extensive searches, flyers, social media posts and help from volunteers and neighbors, he has yet to be found.
“We are completely heartbroken, and he is 100% a member of our family,” Grant said.
Grant believes Grimm may have chased a coyote or another animal into the woods and lost his way home. Since his disappearance, the search has expanded throughout the southwest suburbs, with possible travel routes stretching from Homer Glen to Joliet and back toward Lockport.
Belgian Malinois are athletic dogs capable of covering long distances, and Grant is asking residents throughout the surrounding communities to watch for Grimm, particularly near forest preserves, wooded areas and waterways.
Although Grimm has an owner, he primarily lived with Grant and her boyfriend for the past three years. His owner frequently worked outside the home, while Grant spent more time caring for Grimm after leaving her job to look after her mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease.
Over the years, Grimm became Grant’s constant companion. He was exceptionally intelligent and had been trained as a service dog. Because he struggled with separation anxiety after spending long periods alone when he was younger, Grant made sure he was rarely left by himself.
They went on trail runs, played together and spent plenty of time outdoors. Grant understood how much exercise and mental stimulation Grimm needed and made sure he stayed active.
“I was the one primarily taking care of him all the time. And I loved it,” she said. “He’s a great dog and easy to manage. He’s just a very big dog.”
Grimm was especially affectionate with the people he loved. Grant said he would get excited whenever his owner’s car passed her street, hoping for a visit. When Grant and her boyfriend returned home, even after a brief absence, Grimm would jump, cry, cover them with kisses and bring them a toy.
“He loves us and his owners with all of his heart,” she said.
Grant described Grimm as a dog who seemed to understand everything around him. He could open doors, find hidden treats and toys, and recognize when her younger Belgian Malinois, Wolf, needed correcting.
The family adopted Wolf as a stray last year. Although Grant did her best to give both dogs attention, she sometimes wonders whether Grimm felt the difference after she began caring for another dog. She said the guilt has added to the heartache of losing him, even as she continues to search for his return.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose a child because this is the most pain I’ve ever experienced in my life,” Grant said.
She described waking up in a panic and going to bed with the same fear, with thoughts of Grimm occupying nearly every moment of her day.
“I feel like I completely failed him,” she said. “Anybody can blame me 100% for this, but there is nobody who is more angry at myself than I am.”
Despite those feelings, Grant has continued doing everything she can to find him.
The family began contacting police departments and animal shelters immediately after Grimm disappeared. They searched throughout the night and into the following day, distributed flyers and posters, and shared his information across social media. Neighbors have joined the effort, and Grant has covered her car with Grimm’s photos to spread awareness wherever she goes.
A drone pilot from Smithic Air has helped search for him, and a rescue volunteer from PAWS has also offered assistance. Grant said they plan to bring the drone pilot back if another promising sighting is reported.
She has researched how lost dogs travel and is watching areas near the Des Plaines River, the Illinois and Michigan Canal and nearby creeks. Railroad tracks and utility corridors are also among the routes she is considering.
“Everybody loved Grimm,” she said.
As the search continues, the family has also had to deal with people attempting to take advantage of their desperation.
Grant described receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be connected to the Will County Sheriff’s Office. The caller allegedly told her Grimm had been struck by a car near 143rd Street and Bell Road and had suffered critical injuries.
According to Grant, the caller provided what appeared to be a case number and said an animal hospital would contact her about emergency surgery. When someone later called demanding $2,200 to begin treatment, Grant was so distraught she could barely breathe. Her boyfriend took over the call and recognized it as a scam before she sent any money.
The family has also received photographs that Grant believes were altered using artificial intelligence to make them look like pictures of Grimm.
“The heartbreak that they are inflicting on individuals who are already at their worst is disgusting,” she said.
The experiences have been devastating, particularly when the family is already struggling with the possibility that Grimm may be hurt or frightened somewhere. Grant urges anyone who receives information about him to verify it carefully, especially if money is requested.
Through her research, Grant has also learned that a missing dog may not behave as people expect. Even a friendly dog may run from familiar voices when frightened and focused on survival.
Anyone who spots Grimm should avoid chasing him or calling out to him, Grant said. Instead, people should remain calm, avoid direct eye contact and give him space. If it is safe, sitting or lying low and gently tossing treats in his direction may help keep him nearby while assistance is contacted.
Grimm has also appeared in a film by Bloody Chicago, whose director has posted a YouTube video asking the public to help find him. Grant said information about Grimm has circulated widely through social media and local community pages as the family continues to raise awareness.
She is now asking residents of Homer Glen, Joliet, Lockport and neighboring communities to remain alert, especially near wooded areas and waterways. A sighting in an unexpected location could provide an important clue about where Grimm has gone.
Anyone who sees Grimm or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call Jenny Grant immediately at 708-655-1295. Callers should provide the location, time and direction in which he was traveling, if known.
After three weeks of searching, Grant continues to hold on to the hope that Grimm will be found and reunited with the people who love him.
“Every day gets worse for us,” she said. “We just want him to come home.”
