Missing Lab Found 720 Miles Away Reunited With Owner 3 Years Later

Brownie disappeared several years ago from his horse ranch even though the dog owner had someone watching the pup

After three years and 720 miles between them, a New Mexico man and his beloved pooch, Brownie, were reunited in San Diego County.

The 7-year-old Labrador retriever was spotted wandering the streets last week in the Otay Mesa area when someone scooped him up and took him to the County Animal Services’ care facility in Bonita.

Animal Services workers traced his microchip to the dog’s owner in Santa Teresa, New Mexico: Ricardo Dominguez.

Dominguez was alerted to the amazing discovery late last week when his girlfriend called him.

“She said, ‘They found Brownie. I say, ‘What? Where is he? San Diego? Do I want to keep him? Hell, yeah,” according to a news release from County Animal Services.

Dominguez said Brownie disappeared several years ago from his horse ranch even though the dog owner had someone watching the pup.

Last Friday, Dominguez drove 720 miles nonstop through the night from a job site in El Paso, Texas, to pick up Brownie in Bonita.

Dominguez said Brownie is healthy, but seems more protective and territorial than three years ago. It wasn’t clear how the dog got all the way to San Diego County.

Still, Dominguez said he’s happy to have Brownie home. When he picked him up in Bonita, the pooch bounded over to him, jumping in his arms.

“He looks up through the door at me in my cowboy hat and his eyes were, ‘Wow, is that you?,’” the Animal Services news release said.

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