Dog Reunites With His Owner in San Diego 335 Miles From Home
Ryder, a 9-year-old Chihuahua-terrier mix, that went missing in Las Vegas on July 3, 2023, reunites with his owner Debbie Ferris at the San Diego Humane Society in San Diego on July 21, 2023. (Courtesy of San Diego Humane Society)
A dog who went missing around the Fourth of July was reunited with his family at San Diego Humane Society’s El Cajon campus—335 miles from where he went missing.
Ryder, a 9-year-old Chihuahua-terrier mix, was brought into the El Cajon campus as a stray on July 17. The person who found him said the dog was outside a Ross store in El Cajon, according to the San Diego Humane Society.
The dog had a microchip, and the humane society’s Lost & Found team immediately called the number to locate Ryder’s owners.
Only Ryder wasn’t from El Cajon. His family lives in Las Vegas.
“They were ecstatic—and very surprised—that Ryder had shown up 335 miles west of their home,” a statement from the humane society reads. “Right away, they started making plans to drive up and pick up their beloved pup.”
Ryder’s dog mom, Debbie Ferris, said he went missing on July 3 from their yard in Las Vegas. She does not know how he got out—or how he got to California.
With her at the reunion on July 21 was Ryder’s “aunt,” Darlene Hardee, and Ryder’s best dog friend, Blondie.
“We are so happy this story has a happy ending—all thanks to a microchip and the information connected to that chip being up to date,” the humane society statement read.
