Local author speaks out about missing dog

UNDATED (WHDH) -- Dennis Lehane, the writer of bestselling novels “Gone Baby Gone” and “Shutter Island” spoke out after he made a plea for his pooch on Facebook.

“She’s super fast. She’s very, very sweet -- but she’s also wary. She’s a rescue dog,” said Lehane.

While the idea of your name forever in print, maybe even on the big screen at the hands of famous writer Dennis Lehane is alluring to most -- ultimately, a Brookline family is without a loved one.

“We had somebody watching out for the dogs and unfortunately a gate was left unlocked and Tessa got through the gate, um so she got out into the wilds of Brookline in Boston,” Lehane said.

Now the streets are lined with Tessa’s picture and even to Lehane's surprise, the story has caught fire on social media.

“Yeah I’m kinda overwhelmed by social media; I never really understood the impact of social media till I did this. I put up a little note on my Facebook page,” said Lehane.

But when the note promises to make your name a character is his next book, it's easy to see why so many people have an extra eye out.

“Anything to get your dog back, if that does it then good for him,” one man said.

Still with the sometimes sinister plot lines, it's not for everyone. They don't need the fame, they just want to help.

“No, no desire. But I’m happy to help with whatever I can do,” one woman said.

“I would never make you somebody truly awful. The only caveat I would say that the novel I’m writing now is set in the 1930's so if your name is a Heather or Crystal probably wouldn't fit in a 1930’s novel, but definitely in a present-day one,” said Lehane.

Lehane says he's yet to have a main character named after anyone, but there is a first time for everything, they just need to find Tessa first.

“There have been some spottings but they turned out to be false. There were several spotting and it turned out to be of all things a raccoon,” said Lehane said.

“Most people around here would do it anyway but that's a good reward and a unique reward,” said one man.