Early last week, DogTime brought you the story of a dog nicknamed Freeway, the tiny Chihuahua rescued from a Walnut Creek, California highway median by a couple of caring Contra Costa California Highway Patrol Officers.
The tiny Chihuahua was found quaking in fear on the median as cars whizzed by on the busy Interstate 680. Officers Alex Edmon and John Fransen used a bit of quick thinking — and an irresistible protein bar — to coax the little dog to safety. From there, Animal Services Officer Andrew Tara transported the frightened Chi to the Contra Costa Animal Services Shelter, where she was given some much-needed TLC.
Shelter staff couldn’t locate a microchip, so the true identity of the dog and how she ended up in such a dangerous situation remained a mystery. While authorities searched for answers, Freeway rested at the shelter, and shelter staff wondered if anyone would come looking for the pint-sized pooch.
As photographs circulated and word got out about Freeway across social media, one worried family who’d been searching for their lost dog for nearly a week recognized a familiar face on the Contra Costa Animal Services Shelter Facebook page.
Animal Services reported Thursday that two very happy little girls and their relieved father came to the shelter to reclaim their missing Chihuahua. Freeway, whose real name is Charm, escaped from her backyard near Highway 680. The family looked everywhere, and the little girls even took to their Instagram accounts pleading for help in finding Charm.
Authorities first believed someone must have left the poor dog there to die on that freeway, but it is now believed that Charm dashed across several lanes of traffic and jumped onto the concrete barrier herself.
All involved were thrilled to see Charm go home with the people who love her.
“We are ALL very happy for the family, who have learned a very valuable and expensive lesson in pet licensing, microchipping, spaying, good fencing, and the power of social media!” Contra Costa Animal Services said in a post to their Facebook page.
To thank the officers who saved their dog, the girls drew a picture of Charm and two dog food bowls — one that said “Charm” and the other that said “Freeway.”
Sources: Contra Costa Animal Services Facebook page, San Jose Mercury News
