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How does a puppy dog from Oswego, Kansas end up more than 1,500 miles away in San Diego?
Only the aptly named Rascal knows for sure, but come Saturday, the Jack Russell terrier mix will be back with his owners and no doubt thinking “There’s no place like home.”
The San Diego County Department of Animal Services (DAS) has arranged for the 13-month-old dog to fly home Saturday morning. His owners, Nikki and Ty Lewis, are ecstatic.
Rascal’s saga began Thanksgiving weekend, when he disappeared from the Lewis’ home while playing with the neighbor dogs.
Unfortunately, Rascal was not microchipped, but he did have tags with the phone number of the family veterinarian. About three weeks ago, the family vet received a call from someone who had found the dog. The Lewis children thought they were about to get their Christmas wish – to be reunited with their beloved pet – only to be disappointed when the dog was reported missing yet again.
Nikki gave up hope on seeing Rascal again so imagine her surprise when she heard from the folks at San Diego County Animal Services. A woman had brought the dog to the Gaines Street shelter New Year’s Eve, and using the tags, Animal Services tracked down the Lewis family.
“It was very easy for DAS to contact the owner and work out the arrangements to get Rascal home. We do this on a regular basis,” said County Animal Services Deputy Director Dan DeSousa. “The Foundation for the Care of Indigent Animals agreed to cover the cost of flying the dog back.”
The Lewis family plans to pick up their pet Saturday afternoon in Tulsa, the nearest airport, which is about a two hour drive from Oswego.
“I haven’t told the kids this time. I’m not saying a word until we see him. I’m not breaking their hearts again,” said Nikki Lewis. “I’m just telling them we’re picking up someone at the airport. The kids are going to be so excited.”
“It was a sad thing Rascal wasn’t home for Christmas or New Year’s but he will be home soon,” said DeSousa. He plans to take the dog to the airport personally and said if not for the tags, Rascal would still be lost. He said it’s a lesson learned to get your pets microchipped.
For her part, Nikki Lewis says maybe Rascal should be an indoor dog. And just like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, Rascal will probably be more than happy to just stay home!
