Friends of Lynn and Chris Shimek, the Gilroy couple who died Nov. 28 in an apparent murder-suicide, are seeking help in recovering one of the Shimek’s family pets after it ran away Dec. 1 in Hollister.
The Shimek’s two dogs – a German Shepherd named Scarlet and a full-blooded Shiba Inu named Shiba – are under the care of Julie Nagel, a close friend of Lynn’s who lives in Gilroy and works as a dental hygienist in Hollister.
According to Ellen Rivera, another friend of the Shimek’s, Nagel brought Shiba to work Dec. 1 because the un-neutered dog was in heat and restless. Someone in the office took Shiba outside for a bathroom break and let the dog off the leash, Rivera said, at which point the 20-year-old canine ran away.
Rivera said Nagle is watching the dog until the Shimek’s sons, 19-year-old Forest and his younger brother, 13, move back to Gilroy. The siblings are currently staying with a paternal aunt in San Jose.
“The boys are keeping the dogs,” Rivera explained. “This is temporary until they have a permanent home in Gilroy, which won’t be very long.”
An undisclosed reward has been offered for the discovery and return of Shiba. Anyone with information can call (408) 966-8877.
