LONDONDERRY -- After a weeks-long adventure in the Londonderry woods, Max, the young German shepherd that went missing late last month, is home safe and sound.


Patricia Jacobsen, one of several volunteers whose been working to capture the wayward pup that escaped from a car parked at the Exit 5 bus terminal on Jan. 27, said Max was captured in a humane trap near the Kinder Care daycare center shortly after 10 p.m. Friday evening.


The rescued dog, adopted from a Vermont animal rescue and brought to the Granite State just hours before his disappearance last month, was rushed to a Manchester veterinary clinic immediately after being captured.


Jacobsen said Max is "a bit thin and has a few sores" but is in remarkably great shape considering his ordeal.


An anonymous benefactor paid for Max's emergency veterinary care and the canine, typically shy around strangers, was reportedly greeting hospital staff with kisses and a wagging tail.


Shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday morning, Max had been released from the hospital and was safety home with his adoptive mom, Elizabeth, in Bedford.


"This is certainly the happy ending we've all been hoping for," Jacobsen said.


AGuilmet@newstote.com