BREAKING: A lost dog, named Opie, has been miraculously found over 2,000 miles away from his home in Bieber, California, two months after disappearing during a storm. Found on September 28, 2023, in Illinois, how this small corgi shepherd mix made such an incredible journey remains a mystery.
Officials at DuPage County Animal Services, led by administrator Laura Flamion, confirmed that Opie was turned in as a lost pet to the Itasca Police Department. Upon scanning for a microchip, the police contacted Opie’s owner, who initially refused to believe the news. “It wasn’t until she got the phone number directly to the police department she realized this was really happening,” Flamion stated.
Opie’s owner had been searching for him since he disappeared in early July, following a storm that swept through Bieber, a rural area in Lassen County. Flamion shared that Opie is particularly sensitive to storms and likely escaped during the chaos. After being missing for nearly two months, the police transported Opie to DuPage County Animal Services for processing.
The owner wasted no time in reuniting with Opie, booking the next flight to Illinois and renting a car to drive to the shelter. “She made it as far as South Dakota; she’s driving back,” Flamion reported, underscoring the emotional urgency of the reunion.
This heartwarming story emphasizes the critical importance of microchipping pets. Flamion noted that Opie’s microchip was up-to-date, enabling quick contact with his owner. She urges pet owners to verify their pets’ microchip information through the American Animal Hospital Association’s registry lookup tool.
Opie’s saga echoes other remarkable pet reunions, including last year’s case of Rayne Beau, a cat lost near Yellowstone National Park and later found in Northern California. Such stories highlight the resilience and bond between pets and their owners.
As the search for lost pets continues, the urgency of keeping accurate microchip data cannot be overstated. Pet owners are encouraged to take immediate action to ensure their beloved companions can be quickly identified and returned home.
What happens next? Keep an eye on Opie’s journey home as his owner drives back to California, bringing this incredible story full circle.