Riverside Family Members Ask For Help In Search For Dogs They Say Were Their Ears

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com) — Eight members of a Riverside family, all of whom are deaf, are asking for the public's help in the search for their two dogs.

Speaking to KCAL9's Crystal Cruz through an interpreter, members of the Hencker family said their home is a lot quieter since their yellow Labradors, Honey and Vanilla, ran away two months ago after digging a hole in under their fence.

"We just feel a loss," John Hencker said.

While Honey and Vanilla weren't registered service dogs, the patriarch said they were definitely the ears of the family, even alerting them when a fire broke out nearby.

"We knew something was going on because of how the dogs were reacting, because of their behavior outside, but we didn't know what it was," John recalled. "We walked out and realized, Oh, there's a fire out there. So, they alert us," he said.

The family made a Facebook page, titled "Help Bring Vanilla & Honey Home," to help with their search. They've also visited the Riverside Humane Society, searched Craigslist and even wrote on their SUV: "Lost 2 Labs."

Still, they've had no luck, and the Hencker kids say they are "heartbroken."

Honey and Vanilla are sisters. The family hopes sharing its story will help bring the dogs home.