Many of us have seen the CalTrans Dodger, a six month old boxer puppy stolen from the Placer SPCA sometime between Sunday evening and early Monday morning was returned yesterday afternoon to relieved and grateful staffers.
“The Placer SPCA had received numerous calls over the last several days, but this one was the one that panned out” stated Leilani Vierra, the SPCA’s CEO. A man identifying himself as homeless called and said he was the one who had Dodger. He said he didn’t want the police involved and didn’t want the reward but he did want to give the dog back. The caller left his location and said he would wait for someone he was told who would be driving an SPCA van.
Vierra and Matt Green, Director of Operations found the man sitting in the shade exactly where he said he would be. “The minute we pulled up I knew it was Dodger” said Green, “I just couldn’t believe this was happening.” The man, whose name is not known said he had bought Dodger from someone in exchange for a bottle of booze. He said he later picked up a paper and read the story surrounding his disappearance. Vierra said the man indicated it was the “kid part that got to him” so he had to call. As previously indicated, Dodger had been adopted by the PSPCA Humane Educator and was going to not only be her companion but a dog she could take with her to children’s presentations. The dog Terrell said would help her teach kids about overcoming adversity, compassion, respect and kindness for all life. Now she adds he has an ever bigger story to tell.
Vierra indicated that they rushed out so quickly to pick up Dodger that she didn’t think about the reward but on the way asked Green if he had brought his wallet with him and how much cash he had. “He said he probably had a couple hundred dollars so I asked him if I could borrow it.” Green handed her the wallet from which she took a $100 bill. She left the money with the homeless man and thanked him for doing the right thing. The man then said that he had not done the right things too many times in his life but now maybe today would be one day where he had.