Lost Dog, Missing-Pet Flier, Cruise, Thoughtful Construction Worker: Brownie Bear Is Home In Menifee!

SAN JACINTO (CNS) - A Menifee man was reunited today with his beloved Pomeranian, which ran away from home and ended up in Vancouver, Canada, before it was returned to Riverside County in what became a two-week ordeal for pet and owner.

Brian Van Zandt lost "Brownie Bear," which he has owned since the Pomeranian was a wee pup, on the night of Aug. 22, just as he was preparing to leave for a vacation cruise, according to the Department of Animal Services.

Van Zandt immediately began canvassing the area, distributing fliers with the dog's picture and other details. Unbeknownst to Van Zandt, an animal control officer had come across Brownie Bear meandering aimlessly along Newport Road and snared the dog, depositing him at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus.

According to Welsh, because the pooch had no microchip or other identifying information, it was assumed to be a stray.

However, a construction worker who had spotted the canine about the same time it was picked up by the officer came across one of Van Zandt's posters and contacted the frantic man, letting him know of the sighting and that he should call the animal shelter.

By then, Brownie Bear had been retrieved by the Vancouver-based Big & Small Rescue Society to be adopted out in Canada, Welsh said.

"On Sept. 1, Big And Small Rescue Society, based out of Vancouver, gobbled up the sweet dog – and off the dog traveled up north with other rescued pets from Southern California. But then, on Sept. 2, Candy Weil, a Riverside County Animal Services employee at the San Jacinto shelter, received a call from Mr. Van Sant," the rescue service said. "He told Ms. Weil the dog had been a family pet since its birth. But she had to give him the news that the dog was already gone. Mr. Van Sant pleaded with Ms. Weil to see if there was any way the dog could be returned. Ms. Weil did not promise anything, but said she would do everything she could."

On Sept. 2, after speaking with the distressed Van Zandt, staffer Weil agreed to attempt to negotiate the return of Brownie Bear to San Jacinto.

Although initially hesitant, the rescue group ultimately sympathized and sent the dog home -- to the gratitude and relief of Van Zandt.

"Thanks to some very understanding folks at Big And Small Rescue Society, Brownie Bear, whose name actually got changed to 'Tomato' by the nonprofit organization, a reunion was made possible," the organization said.

• Also see: Students Kept Home Over Leprosy Fears At Jurupa Valley School

--City News Service contributed to this report/Image via San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus on Facebook