Lost Atlanta dog is found in St. Petersburg 10 months later

ST. PETERSBURG — A golden retriever lost in Atlanta last year recently was found in St. Petersburg.

The 7-year-old dog, named Pepper, disappeared two days before Christmas, while his owners were on vacation in Mexico.

In late September, a filthy and flea-infested Pepper wandered into a St. Petersburg travel agency, where he ran into dog-lover Jay Getman.

Getman, 46, took Pepper home and fed and bathed him. He took the dog to a veterinarian, who was able to scan the dog's microchip and get the contact information for Pepper's family, Stephen and Liz Carter of Atlanta.

Liz Carter, who drove to Florida to pick Pepper up, said she isn't sure how the dog traveled more than 400 miles to St. Petersburg.

The family doesn't have friends or relatives in the area, Carter said in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Mrs. Carter told the newspaper that Pepper got a clean bill of health at a check-up at the vet's office last week. He steals shoes and leaves them in the same places he did before he disappeared.

"It's uncanny how he's gotten back into normal life," she said. "He never missed a beat."

Comments on this article

by tanya	Oct 12, 2008 6:43 PM
The real "Incredible Journey"

by Biff	Oct 7, 2008 3:11 PM
I like boiled peanuts! I would keep all of mine and not sell them. Boiled peanuts... yum! What fun!!! Good doggy...

by Betty	Oct 7, 2008 2:01 PM
don't worry Melissa, we got it. Sue's just a little bit slow. GR's at times may seem to be on Sue's intelligence level, but they are so freaking smart. They are highly intelligent, and so, so very loving.

by steven	Oct 7, 2008 2:01 PM
i heard of dogs returning home 1000's of miles, but this one sounds like he was dogknapped.

by Max	Oct 7, 2008 1:56 PM
Poor lttle guy, He was found on the side of the road, selling boiled peanuts.

by Ronnie	Oct 7, 2008 1:51 PM
Why didn't anyone between Atlanta and here have the heart to do the same? Someone must have seen him. Kudos to you dog lover thanks for taking care of mans best friend

by steve	Oct 7, 2008 1:44 PM
I had a wife wander off one time. Maybe I'd have found her if she had a chip.

by Rickster	Oct 7, 2008 1:43 PM
Retrievers are VERY smart dogs... And loyal to the end. Am glad this story had a happy ending. Thank You to the gentleman that made it happen. You are very kind.

by kaitlin	Oct 7, 2008 1:43 PM
Glad you mentioned the part about not wanting chips in humans. Hope this was really a case of people having lost their dog. Lacking in faith in the human race, aren't I?

by Craig B	Oct 7, 2008 1:41 PM
So Kim, he "must have escaped" eh? He must have EXHAUSTED after he swam from Havana to Key West and then trapsed on up to Tampa by land.

by Menda	Oct 7, 2008 12:04 PM
so glad to see a happy ending, but it may not have been so if the family had not been smart and gotten the dog a chip. still don't believe in putting them in humans, but great for dogs.

by Aaron	Oct 7, 2008 11:58 AM
If the economic times werent so bad Jay may have been able to keep and feed the dog. ( jk ) good job Jay

by Holly	Oct 7, 2008 11:32 AM
I know Jay Getman, and he's really a good guy. Good for you, Jay!

by Pete	Oct 7, 2008 11:14 AM
Maybe peper has friends in St Pete. Who was taking care of him when the family went on vacation? I hear dog is tastey in China hope he taught the turtles how to escape

by Honor	Oct 7, 2008 11:05 AM
Such a nice story. Wonder how the poor dog traveled so far. But fortunately for the dog lover, he is safe. Thank you for caring.

by Heidi	Oct 7, 2008 10:46 AM
The story in the paper said that the dog was with a dog sitter and fireworks spooked the dog, who then ran away.

by Amanda	Oct 7, 2008 10:44 AM
Actually, Melissa is right. My brother-in-law's best friend works with the CIA and confirmed this story.

by Dorothy	Oct 7, 2008 10:25 AM
I like Sue wonder what Melissa's been smoking. I would leave my dog at home while on a trip instead of a kennel where she would be unhappy. We tried that.That's what we hire dog sitters for or have great neighbors or family to take care of our pet.

by c	Oct 7, 2008 10:25 AM
This article is a incredibly persuasive argument for microchipping your pets.

by Ann and JEAN	Oct 7, 2008 10:08 AM
Thanks Jay for being as kind and caring as you are..It's a pleasure to know you and have you in our neighborhood.. Bless you now and always..

by jeff	Oct 6, 2008 5:38 PM
thank god he was got to before the turtle harvesters found him, see story in todays edition..

by Martin	Oct 6, 2008 4:28 PM
Great story. Welcome home Pepper.

by sue	Oct 6, 2008 1:58 PM
Melissa, what are you smoking???

by Teri	Oct 6, 2008 12:58 PM
Awesome! So happy he found his way home thanks to Mr. Getman!

by Cheryl	Oct 6, 2008 12:58 PM
It goes to show that animals are very loyal pets and when they are lost they miss us as much as we miss them.

by Barbara	Oct 6, 2008 12:58 PM
What an inspiring story for those of us who love our dogs.

by Melissa	Oct 6, 2008 12:58 PM
I got an email from cousin's ex boyfriend's sister that there are home burglars who are stealing dogs to export to Cuba. They are using the dogs because their paws are small and can make a tighter cigar rolls. This dog must have escaped.

by Kim	Oct 6, 2008 12:57 PM
If they were in Mexico, who was watching the dog?

by t	Oct 6, 2008 9:57 AM
Wow that is wonderful. What a nice story! And a nice guy who took the dog in while finding its owner. I have a black lab and losing him would be terrible. Very nice story!!!