Missing dog experiences Christmas miracle after reuniting with long-lost owner

Sacramento, California - A dog that had been missing for over a year was recently found thousands of miles away from its California home. Luckily, the canine was reunited with his owner just in time for Christmas.

A German shepherd mix named Zeppelin went missing 14 months ago and was recently found over 1,600 miles away from his Sacramento home.
A German shepherd mix named Zeppelin went missing 14 months ago and was recently found over 1,600 miles away from his Sacramento home.  © Collage: Screenshot/Facebook/Sherri Wixted Ford

Zeppelin, a three-year-old German shepherd mix named after his owner's favorite band Led Zeppelin, had been missing for 14 months before he was mysteriously found in Kansas, more than 1,600 miles from home.

Owner Sandra O'Neill told KCTV that she never lost hope that she would see her best friend again.

"I drove by the last place I saw him and said a little prayer," she shared. "I said, 'I hope you make it home someday.'"

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And just like that, her prayers were answered. The very next day, she received a call that Zeppelin had been found!

Heather Reichart found the pup wandering the pasture of her Louisburg, Kansas home. The following day, she took him to Wildcat Vet Clinic, where it was discovered the dog had a microchip implant that revealed information tracing him back to O'Neil.

After getting in touch with the owner, the clinic then had to figure out how to get Zeppelin home safely.

Zeppelin's long trip back home

Mary Hastings, a California resident who was visiting her daughter in Ohio, learned of Zeppelin's story and jumped at the chance to help out. She offered to stop in Kansas on her drive back home to pick up Zeppelin from the clinic and return him to his owner.

"I'm going to put a big bow on him when I get close," Hastings said. "I want that dog to be home for Christmas."

On Wednesday, Zeppelin and O'Neill were finally reunited as seen in a heartwarming video shared on Facebook.

Just how Zeppelin managed to stray so far from home remains a mystery, but his owner is glad to have her pup back for the holidays.

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Facebook/Sherri Wixted Ford

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