Annie, a Fox Terrier

This story mentions pet detectives, which most people aren't aware of. The Missing Pet Partnership (http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/) trains people as pet detectives. Check out the website and learn all about the organization and what they do. Enjoy the story.

Owner who hired pet detective reunited with dog
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
By Paul Laracco, The Press-Enterprise
Annie the terrier returns home

Annie, a 5-year-old fox terrier, made news last week when her owners printed hundreds of fliers, offered a $1,000 reward and even hired a pet detective to find her. The dog had run off March 21 from Arias' mother's home on Sage Avenue in Rialto.

It's good to be home.

Wrapped in a blanket and gorged on a big can of moist Kibbles 'n Bits, Annie was back with her adoring owner Monday.

"In fact, she's sleeping in my arms right now, in my bed," said Debra Arias when reached by phone. "She's really tired." Nearly 10 days on the streets of Rialto would exhaust anyone (or any dog.)

Annie the fox terrier was safe at home with Louie and Debra Arias on Monday after a man saw a flier and realized Annie was the stray he had been feeding for several days.

On Friday, two bloodhounds, two tracking dogs and a searcher followed scent trails to various dead ends.

Over the weekend, neighbors and a volunteer police officer called in tips that didn't pan out. Monday morning, a man on his way to work saw one of the ubiquitous fliers and did a double take. The dog was the stray he had been feeding for several days.

"He's like an angel to us right now," Arias said of the man, whom she planned to present with the reward check today.

After driving to the house four blocks away, Arias immediately saw Annie. Dirty and a few pounds lighter, the dog ran to her call. She and her family broke into tears.

"She looked like the most precious thing I'd ever seen, except our children," said the 53-year-old Loma Linda resident.

Whether the $1,600 pet detectives were the ones who cracked the case, Arias is happy. She said they provided good advice, such as "ask trick questions."

One way she knew the man truly had found her dog? She inquired about Annie's pink collar. When he responded that the collar was black, she knew Annie was coming back home.

Source: http://www.pe.com/localnews/rialto/stories/PE_News_Local_S_dog31.3f82c76.html