Since July, Ashley Padon has been searching endlessly for her lost dog—a hunt that gained attention after actress Amanda Seyfried helped amplify the search and offered an additional reward for his safe return.
Padon’s toy Australian shepherd, Kikko, ran away from her uncle’s house in Westlake Village, California, while she was out to dinner, Padon told Newsweek via email. Because Kikko has severe separation anxiety, the owner worried he would get out, but hoped he would be fine for a short period of time.
However, Kikko slipped through the back gate and ran down the street. Her uncle chased after him, but Padon believes that it “spooked him,” causing the dog to sprint in the opposite direction. Months later, and the search for Kikko has not stopped.
Padon has passed out hundreds of flyers, contacted shelters and veterinary offices, knocked on doors and hung posters. She also created-social media accounts to spread the word, and through the power of the internet, she connected with another Aussie owner—Golden Globe-nominated Seyfried.
In a December 25 TikTok video posted to the account @kikkothetoyaussie, Padon shared her shock after receiving a notification that Seyfried reposted her story with the text: “I’ll triple the reward if it helps.” Padon was offering $5,000 for Kikko, but now, with Seyfried’s help, the total increased to $15,000.
“I was completely shocked,” Padon said. “I was so excited, though, and I had hoped that more celebrities would see it and share it, but since then, I haven’t gotten much traction.”
In an exchange between Padon and the Mamma Mia star, Seyfried said she would post again once her story expires, adding: “I’m really sorry.”
Even with Seyfried’s support, Padon said she still has no updates or leads on Kikko. After speaking with about 15 psychics and animal communicators, she is hopeful he is still out there.
“Every single one of them had told me he is alive,” Padon said. “I know none of them can tell me where he actually is, but the fact that they have all said he’s alive, I truly believe they are right.”
Newsweek reached out to Seyfried’s team via email on Tuesday morning for additional comment.
Viewer Reactions
TikTok users flocked to the comment section, praising Seyfried’s kindness. The clip reached over 1.7 million views, more than 275,200 likes and 724 comments as of Tuesday.
“Omg [oh my God] she’s an amazing human. Glad she’s in your corner!!!” wrote a viewer, while another added: “I hope you two are reunited soon. What a sweet gesture.”
Similarly, someone shared: “Seth Rogen retweeted my lost dog over a decade ago. I’ll never forget it. Just the little things celebs can do can change our lives.”
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