Lost San Diego Dog Found in Detroit Returns With Surprise New Talent

Losing your beloved fur baby is one of the worst things any dog owner can experience but that's exactly what happened to Liz and Mehrad Houman's dog, Mishka, who went missing back in July 2023 from Mehrad's auto body shop in San Diego.

Thankfully Mishka was microchipped and was found by the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society in Harper Woods, Michigan, all the way close to Detroit. One of the amazing parts of this story? The little Terrier mix returned home having learned a new skill.

Fox2 Detroit reports, "The biggest question the family has is how did Mishka get from San Diego to Grosse Pointe? The most common theory is that someone stole her in California and brought her to Metro Detroit.

"Someone taught her how to sit. She sits now," said Liz Houman."

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Thankfully Mishka was microchipped so she was returned to her family and it's so amazing that someone taught her how to sit! If my dog ever goes missing, not that I would ever want that to happen, I would hope that he was returned to me, but that someone taught him how not to bark at the Amazon delivery guy when he knocks at my door.

Steps To Take If You Lose Your Dog

Losing your dog can be such a scary experience, but the good news is that according to the ASPCA, 93 percent of lost dogs are eventually recovered, and 90 percent of them are found within the first 12 hours.

One thing you can do is have your dog microchipped, so that if they are lost and they end brought to a vet it can be determined that you are the actual owner. Update the information with the microchip company on a regular basis, especially if you move or change phone numbers. Make sure your dog always wears a collar with your name and contact information on it. It's also a good idea to take current photographs of your dog in case they do go missing, and photographs of you with your dog in case you need further proof of ownership.

Contact friends and family immediately, the non-emergency number of your local police department, as well as your veterinarian, your local Humane Society and Animal Shelters, and make postings on social media lost and found groups for your area.

Create flyers with your contact information plus a current photo of your pet and distribute them to local businesses and neighbors.

If your dog has a keen nose, they might be able to sniff their way back to you. Take something that smells like you, such as a worn shirt, a blanket, a toy, or a crate. Leave the items where you last saw your dog.

Hopefully, your dog will be back home with you in no time and maybe even they will know a new trick like Mishka does!

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