A grieving family is now looking for its grieving dog.

Jennifer Sensibello of Chardon wrote us asking for our help, saying that her mother died April 9 of cancer with her faithful companion, a German Shepherd named Viess, at her side.

"This dog meant everything to my mom," she said. "Sadly the next day Viess was so upset my nephew went to put her in the car to take her to my mom's house to comfort her and she ran away through downtown Willoughby."

The dog and her late owner lived in North Willoughby before they moved in with Jennifer about six weeks ago. "I am sure she is searching for my mother but may be confused which house to go to."

Viess is a 9-year-old female, about 72 pounds, and has her current Lake County license and rabies tags. She is shy and timid with strangers, so she may be hiding in the woods, Jennifer added. "The one thing that will tell you if this is Viess is her right ear - it is crooked and deformed due to an ear infection that she had when she was a puppy."

The family is offering a reward for her return. With information about Viess' whereabouts please contact Jennifer at 440-796-2523 or jennifer711@roadrunner.com or her sister Cathy at 440-384-0062.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com