Chihuahua Reunited With West Sacramento Family
WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Cooper disappeared from his West Sacramento home two years ago and ended up 3,000 miles away in Florida before he was reunited with his family Monday night at the Sacramento International Airport.
A Chihuahua wippet, now 4 years old, Cooper spent half his life who knows where, ending up in Brandon, Florida.
Cooper was given to Cody by his grandfather, who died a year ago from a rare blood disease.
"Now he's back and it's like I have a memory of Grandpa back with me," Cody said. "I honestly thought I wasn't gonna see him again."
Cody broke down in tears as his mother, Michelle Baetge, handed over Cooper at about 10:15 p.m. after Cooper's flight landed in Sacramento.
"It's amazing," he told CBS13's Neda Iranpour at the airport with Cooper in his arms. "I'm just glad to have him back. He's exactly like I remember him."
After Cooper escaped their backyard two years ago, the Baetge family believed whoever found him must have moved clear across the country.
When Cooper went missing, a family heartbroken set out on a massive search.
"We were still going to shelters and looking through binders … not having any luck. Now we know why," Michelle said.
They even kept his old doghouse, never giving up hope.
Then 10 days ago he escaped again during a storm in Florida.
"They found him looking lost and wet and cold and scared," Michelle said.
His microchip led him to his rightful owners.
"I've been really excited and all, but it's still hard to believe it's really happening," Michelle said.
