WILLIAMSON COUNTY - A Champion Rottweiler was rescued Friday evening from the Southern Illinois hills where she wandered in the 12 days following an RV wreck that killed her owner Feb. 21.

"Smooth" was caught in a humane trap set about one-half mile from where the one-vehicle wreck that took the life of Diane Martin, 62, of Chicago, occurred on Interstate 24 near the Johnson-Williamson county line.

"I finally had a decent night's sleep," said Jim Bahr, Martin's best friend, and now caretaker of her four dogs. "The people in Southern Illinois really went the extra mile for Diane and Smooth. It was a phenomenal response, like they were searching for their own dog. I'm so glad this story has a happy ending."

Rescuers placed two humane traps, filled with food, Smooth's dog toys and articles of Martin's clothing, near areas where sightings of the agility champion had been reported. Just a few hours after they moved one of the traps on Friday, rescuers got a call from Bob and Janis Wollard, whose land held one of the traps. "We had barely gotten back home when they called," said Martha Mulkin, the Carterville resident who helped coordinate the search. "I told them I would be

right down to pick her up."

The dog spent a comfortable night at the Herrin home of Michelle Shadowens, a mail carrier and president of Mid-America Rottweiler Rescue. "When we first got to my house, I put a pillow and blanket of Diane's on the floor and Smooth gave almost a sigh of relief and just sacked out, like she could finally rest," Shadowens said.

Mulkin said Smooth was not able to put much weight on a hind leg, was thin with puffy eyes, but otherwise, in remarkably good shape. "She was going to be checked by a veterinarian this morning and then she'll be on her way home to Chicago," Mulkin said Saturday morning.

The 9-year-old dog and her late owner were well-known on the national dog agility circuit and friends said the outpouring of support and prayers from those in the dog world, as well as the Southern Illinois community, were responsible for the dog's safe return.

"Smooth is a sweetheart and a star athlete in agility. Her bond with Diane was extremely tight and they both had an enormous number of friends in the dog world. Everyone knew them. We've all been grieving, but we couldn't close that chapter until Diane's dog was home," said Bahr, also of Chicago. "Now, with all her dogs safe, I can see Diane smiling down."

Shadowens said Martin's friends and extended family in the dog world offer "A big heartfelt thank you to the community down here. Diane's death was such a shock and a tragedy to the dog world. Having Smooth back home is a real gift to all of us."

beckym@onecliq.net (618)927-5633