Family reunited with dog after thinking he was stolen

GRESHAM, Ore. – A family got their dog back Friday three days after burglars broke into their home.

It turns out Ronnie the chihuahua may not have been stolen after all. He was recovered at a home about a block and a half away from where the Farfan family thought he'd been stolen.
 
Now Gresham police said it is more likely he ran away during Tuesday's burglary.

But for the Farfan family, all that mattered was getting Ronnie back.

Their neighbor, Tammy Fredericks, said she spotted Ronnie running on Northeast Halsey Street on Thursday and then took him inside.

She posted an ad on Craigslist with Ronnie's photo asking if anyone knew the owner.

Several KATU viewers who had seen KATU's story about Ronnie and his family Thursday night notified the station about the posting. And Friday afternoon, Ronnie was back in the hands of his owners.

"Oh my gosh. I'm so, so happy," said Maria Farfan when Fredericks gave them their dog.

"This is amazing," Fredericks said. "This is just wonderful to see the joy on their face and to see him still alive. It's a blessing to have him home with his family."

The Farfan family said they plan to put a microchip in Ronnie so that he can be found if he disappears again.

There is still no word on who broke into their house.