Virginia Dog Found in Oklahoma 10 Years After Disappearing
Volunteers to reunite dog with owner
By MATTHEW STABLEY and CRAIG MELVIN
Updated 1:28 PM EDT, Fri, Oct 2, 2009
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- A dog missing from northern Virginia for a decade may soon be reunited with his owner after showing up in Oklahoma.
Tristan Rohde, 8, her family found Brindle under a bush in their Lawton, Okla., neighborhood a couple of weeks ago -- more than 1,300 miles from where he disappeared. The Rohdes thought Brindle was dead, but when he lifted his head, Tristan decided to take him in.
"If I didn't, then he would just be sitting there right now with no family, no friends, no nothing," she said.
The Rohdes took Brindle, who was near death, to a veterinarian who found a microchip with tracking information under Brindle's skin.
"I'm just so proud of my daughter being so caring like she is, taking in the dog that was probably knocking on heaven's door," said Tristan's father, Jon Rohde.
The family then used Facebook to track down Brindle's owner, Gary Rowley.
Brindle was a smart dog, Rowley said. He could open doors.
"He would hook his toenails into the side of the door and he opened it," Rowley said Wednesday.
On Super Bowl Sunday 1999, Brindle opened the door and never returned.
The circumstances surrounding Brindle's disappearance, past 10 years and incredible journey to Oklahoma are unknown.
"I'm not mad at the dog," Rowley joked. "All I want to ask him is, 'Why in the hell did you run off 10 years ago?'"
The reunion awaits Brindle's recuperation. He's not yet well enough to travel, but if the vet OKs him Friday, Brindle and Rowley could be together again next week.
First Published: Sep 30, 2009 5:57 PM EDT on NBC Washington
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