Bauer joined the Katz family at just 12 weeks old. Within three weeks, he had disappeared, and they were heartbroken.

“He is a very sweet puppy,” Jacelyn Katz said of the Australian labradoodle. “And, obviously, we fell pretty hard and quickly for him.”

Just three weeks later, Katz needed to run some errands. She could not bring herself to leave the puppy behind. On one fateful Monday night, she loaded Bauer into the car and drove to CVS.

“I did leave the car running because I was afraid of him freezing,” she said. “And then I ran in for my prescription. I came out, and my car was gone and my dog was gone.”

The thieves disabled the vehicle’s GPS system and disappeared into the night. In the wake of the car theft, Katz went on teh news and made a public plea.

“You can have the car,” she said. “Just please give me my dog back.”

A sighting on the highway brings hope

Katz waited for a response. She even checked the PawBoost lost pet website.

Then she got a message. A woman reached out and explained that she had spotted Bauer wandering along Interstate 78. The woman volunteered to meet up and return the dog.

There is still no word on the stolen car. But Bauer is safe and back with his family.