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Keith McCord Reporting "Rocky" the cocker spaniel disappeared a year ago from Ogden, but tonight is back home with his owner, after a very long journey.
"Rocky" disappeared last year and has been on a multi-state journey; he's been to at least three states that we know of. He arrived home today on a flight from El Paso, Texas, and his family was very glad to see him!
The 4-year-old Cocker Spaniel probably didn't understand all the commotion at the airport this morning, but he certainly loved all the attention. It's been quite a journey to get here.
Last year Rocky vanished from his yard in Ogden. His owner, Becky Candia, didn't know if he had run away, was picked up, or even struck by a car.
Four months later a woman in San Diego called. She had Rocky! She traced him to Becky through the license tags and the ID chip under the dog's skin. But before arrangements could be made to return Rocky, the woman in San Diego vanished.
Eight more months went by and then another call from Colleen and Marty Salgado. They found Rocky in El Paso, Texas! They also tracked Rocky to Utah through his ID tags.
After seeing the story of Rocky's travels on Eyewitness News last week, several employees of Skywest Airlines agreed to take care of the cost to fly Rocky home today. Becky's children picked him up.
Justin Crosby says they plan to "take him home, get him settled in." He adds, "We're in a different house than we were when we lost him, so hopefully he'll get used to that."
But before going home there was another reunion with his owner Becky, who was unable to get away from work when his plane came in.
One thing is for sure: it was a long journey home, 1,500 miles or so, from Utah, to San Diego, to El Paso and finally back to Utah.
Becky wants to thank everyone who helped Rocky return. She says he has some new roommates since he left-- a couple of Pugs!
