Bull Mastiff Reunited With His Family After 1300 Mile Journey
From the archive: published Oct 24, 2014, 12 years ago. Details may have changed since.
A bull mastiff was reunited with his family after a 1,380 mile journey. Dani and Jason Windham said Koda the dog escaped his enclosure in early August. Although he was missing for nearly three months, Koda was reunited with the Windhams on Monday. The couple credits a microchip and a good Samaritan with helping Koda find his way home.
On August 4, Dani and Jason Windham were married. Although their wedding was a cause for celebration, the day was bittersweet. Prior to the ceremony, the couple’s three dogs escaped their enclosure. Finn and Hooch were eventually found and returned without incident. Unfortunately, Koda remained missing.
Following the wedding, the couple planned to move from Holmes Lake, Nebraska, to Camp Verde, Arizona. However, they did not want to leave without their beloved pet. As reported by Examiner, they contacted authorities and conducted an extensive search. Sadly, Koda was nowhere to be found.
The Windhams were eventually forced to leave town. Although they did not want to give up hope, the never expected to see Koda again.
More than two months later, a Nebraska farmer spotted the bull mastiff “chasing a herd of his cattle.” Animal control authorities managed to capture the dog and transport him to Green Acre Veterinary Clinic in Wahoo, Nebraska. Koda, and his owners, were eventually identified through a microchip — which was implanted in the dog’s neck.
Unfortunately, the bull mastiff was not reunited with his family right away. Dani and Jason simply could not afford to fly their dog from Nebraska to Arizona. Thankfully, truck driver Jimmy Dimmit offered to help.
As both states were along his route to California, Dimmit offered to transport Koda to the Windhams. As reported by ABC 15, Dimmit did not hesitate, as he loves dogs and wanted to make sure the bull mastiff was reunited with his family.
Twenty-four hours later, Dani and Jason met Dimmit and his girlfriend at a truck stop in Flagstaff, Arizona. The reunion was priceless.
Although Koda lost 20 pounds, he is thrilled to be home. Dimmit said he was more than happy to help, and that “Dani and Jason were so very thankful.” The Windhams said Dimmit and his girlfriend are welcome to stop by “the next time they pass through” town. They would like to thank the couple with a home cooked meal.
Watch as the bull mastiff is reunited with his family here.