Girl Reunited With Stolen Puppy After Offering Her Piggy Bank as Reward
A 10-year-old girl who offered everything in her piggy bank to get her 5-month-old puppy Meeko back finally got her wish.
Marissa Mabanag was reunited Thursday with Meeko, her shih tzu-yorkie mix, after a woman spotted the puppy in a Walmart parking lot in Los Banos, Calif., more than 100 miles from the family's San Jose, Calif., home. Blanca Del Real came forward, saying a woman gave her the puppy after finding it wandering around in the parking lot, according to ABC News affiliate KGO-TV.
"I just found him and I don't know whose he is," said Del Real.
Meeko was stolen from Mabanag's home on Monday along with thousands of dollars worth of electronics. Despite all the goods that were missing, it was Meeko that weighted heavily on the minds of the Mabanag family. Mabanag issued a public plea for help in locating her lost pup.
"Thank you to everybody who made this happen," said Mabanag Thursday. "I can't believe he is in my arms."
In June, Meeko was a surprise for gift for Mabanag's last day of school. Mabanag named her after the raccoon in the film "Pocahontas."
"I am so happy he's back with my family. That is all I care about," said Mabanag.
The police and fire unions put together a $5,000 reward for Meeko's return and Councilman Ash Kalra kicked the reward up to $6,000.
Del Real accepted their reward but declined to take Mabanag's piggy bank, according to KGO.
"This is not just a dog, it's not money, it's my daughter's heart," said Mabanag's mother, Marie.
ABC News' Anthony Castellano contributed to this report.