A beloved dog who went missing fourteen months ago from his California home is on his way to being reunited with his owner after making a 1,700-mile journey to Kansas.
Sandra O’Neil’s dog Zeppelin, a German shepherd mix, went missing in October 2021 and seemingly disappeared without a trace.
Despite the pup having a microchip, more than a year went by with no sign of the dog. It was enough to make any pet owner lose hope.
The California woman never gave up and last week and her prayers were finally answered when a Kansas resident found Zeppelin in a pasture outside her home.
Zeppelin somehow made a more than 1,700 mile journey from West Sacramento, California to Louisburg, Kansas
‘When they told me he was Kansas, I was shocked,’ O’Neil told local media.
How exactly Zeppelin made the 1,625 mile journey is all but a mystery.
‘I would always think about him and say something when I drive by there occasionally and say “I miss you Zeppelin, I hope you come home someday and I hope you’re happy, safe and healthy wherever you are,”‘ O’Neil said.
Just one day before she received the call, she put a prayer out, once again, even driving by the construction area Zeppelin would frequent.
‘The next morning I got the call. I was very excited and really flabbergasted that he was found and very grateful and blessed to be getting the dog back.’
The owner said her pup would often receive food, water, and treats from the construction workers before coming home on his own or being picked up by her. One day, however, he never came home.
Zeppelin is now officially on his way home after being gone for fourteen months
Sandra O’Neil of West Sacramento, California lost her dog Zeppelin more than a year ago
Zeppelin was found in a pasture in Louisburg, Kansas, a rural city just south of Kansas City
Zeppelin poses with the woman who found him and others inside the vet clinic where they ran his microchip
Heather Reichart of Louisburg, Kentucky had found Zeppelin in the pasture near her home and said she felt the dog was far from home.
Reichart, no stranger to strays near her home, had gone outside to see what her own pup was barking at when she found Zeppelin.
‘I went out to the pasture to see what our dog was barking at and found him,’ Reichart said.
She kept Zeppelin in her home overnight before bringing him to a vet clinic in the area the next morning where they were able to run his microchip and discover just how far away from home he was.
Heather Reichart of Louisburg, Kentucky had found Zeppelin in the pasture near her home
A vet in Louisburg, Kansas was able to run Zeppelin’s microchip and discover just how far away from home the beloved pup was
The vet clinic reached out to O’Neil and gave her the great news, which has been described as a ‘Christmas miracle.
‘I was overcome with emotion. I was very excited to see him. He looked really good,’ O’Neil told CBS13 after seeing her animal over Facetime.
On Sunday, Zeppelin began the nearly 24-hour journey back home to California.
According to the dog’s owner, multiple people stepped in to offer Zeppelin a way home.
‘We’re very blessed and thankful for all the people involved,’ O’Neil said. ‘There’ve been numerous people working on this tirelessly, trying to get all the legs of the trip handled.’
‘We’re very blessed and thankful for all the people involved,’ O’Neil said
The pup began the 23 hour journey home to West Sacramento on Sunday
Ultimately, a woman named Mary Hastings offered the pup the means of transportation.
‘I saw that he needed a ride and I needed a co-pilot and I said, “let’s go Zeppelin, you’re going home!” said Hastings.
The woman just so happened to be visiting her daughter in Kansas from California when she heard the story of Zeppelin’s journey.
‘I got a little tear from that. It’s amazing. It’s ok ma’am. You’ll have him by Christmas,’ said Hastings.
Mary Hastings is bringing Zeppelin back to California after visiting her daughter in Kansas
The three-year-old dog also happens to have several puppies waiting for him at home.
‘I’m just grateful for all the people that put time and energy into this and who have taken care of Zeppelin and loved him where he’s been,’ O’Neil continued.
Zeppelin has several pups waiting to play with him back at home in California
