TULSA, Okla. — A local couple is relieved Tuesday after their missing dog was found safe.
Bailey Christenbury and Jose Cordova say last weekend their dog disappeared from their home. After searching for two days, they feared someone stole him as a part of a trend where high-value dogs are taken. Christenbury said he is microchipped and was wearing a GPS collar with her information on it when he disappeared.
They put up posters and flyers all over their neighborhood and surrounding area and created a Facebook page to bring Blueberry home. Christenbury said, as the story went viral, she received hundreds of calls and tips, but no Blueberry.
“It’s been a roller coaster this week," Christenbury said. "And I’m sure it’s been a roller coaster for him too, I can’t imagine.”
She then upped the cash reward to $11,500. Then, Wednesday, she got the call she'd been waiting for. The person on the other end of that call gave details about Blueberry that confirmed to her it was him.
“It was a huge relief off my back," Christenbury said. "Oh my gosh, I’ve been like holding all of this emotion like this, like feeling so hopeless and lost.”
She then called Tulsa police, who met her at the address given. TPD said they found Blueberry in a cage. He was then reunited with Christenbury, 11 days after
disappearing.
“Blueberry just, he made his escape like he’d been plotting it all week," she said. "He just sprinted across the street, he found a fire hydrant and he was sniffing at it. I said Blue! And he said mom! And he just ran up to me and I gave him the biggest hug he’s ever gotten in his life.”
Tulsa police confirmed they found the dog safe Tuesday. In a post on their Facebookpage police wrote:
We can't think of a better way to celebrate #NationalPuppyDay than to announce the return of the Blueberry, the beloved French Bulldog.
Blueberry was reported missing more than a week ago. Since then, his story has garnered a lot of attention through the Help Find Blueberry page and the owner offering a reward.
Today, through a series of outlandish events, Tulsa Police Officers were able to recover the missing pooch from a home near MLK and Apache.
The Frenchy's owner was contacted by a person claiming to know where the dog was being kept. The owner called us, and we went to the location to investigate.
When we got there, we indeed ran into the individual who had Blueberry in a cage, along with two other uncaged French Bulldogs.
The individual who had the dog claims they recognized Blueberry with a homeless man near 11th and Harvard, and managed to take him. The individual claimed they attempted to contact Blueberry's owner to no avail. Officers checked the individual's phone and verified the attempted phone calls.
If this story seems a little tangled, that's because it is. There are more questions than answers, and unfortunately due to the bizarre nature of this incident, we are unable to provide all of the details at this time.
The important thing is that Blueberry has been reunited with his owner.
Blueberry is now getting all the treats, belly rubs and kisses. Christenbury appreciates the public's support in her search for him.
“I mean, thank you," she said. "Like I just can’t believe that so many people would help me and I just hope that everyone will do that every time they see a dog.”
She said she took Blueberry to the vet and he appears to be okay.
Original story:
Blueberry disappeared a week ago. Christenbury and Cordova told 2 News Oklahoma they got home from running errands and their beloved dog, Blueberry wasn’t there to greet them.
“It only took us a few minutes to realize he wasn’t here, and we panicked. At that point we both split up and began driving around the neighborhood calling for him.”
Christenbury says they posted about Blueberry on Ring and the Next Door app and got several responses, one lead suggesting Blueberry was spotted with a man at a local Walmart. They followed up on all the leads but to no avail. Christenbury worried Blueberry might have been taken because he is a French bulldog.
2 News Oklahoma recently looked into the value of this high-end breed which can sell for as much as $3,000 and are considered a gentle and kind breed.
“I do fear that. I’ve seen it on the news. Lady Gaga — her Frenchies were stolen. His breed is targeted, also his personality, French bulldogs tend to not be skittish,” says Christenbury. “Blue was my baby. I don’t have any children and he meant a lot to me."
She offered advice to other pet owners, especially those who own more expensive dogs.
“My biggest one is he does have a GPS on him," she says. "Unfortunately the batteries die very quickly and my biggest regret is not keeping that thing charged."
The couple upped their $1,500 reward for Blueberry’s safe return to $11,500 before the dog was reunited with them.
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