A Lake County man was reunited with his best friend just in time for the holidays.
- Lake County man reunites with stolen dog after 9 months
- Steven Poppell got his dog back a week before Christmas
- Pepper, a 6-year-old Husky, went missing in April
Officials said Steven Poppell's dog was stolen almost a year ago. The 6-year-old energetic, purebred Husky named Pepper lived with Poppell on their yacht in Astor.
Poppell said back in April, Pepper got out through the boat's sliding back doors and ended up on a bridge where he was picked up by a motorist.
Poppell said he put up fliers and ran private ads, hoping someone would call.
"Wondering if he's okay, feeling like I betrayed him," Poppell said.
About a week before Christmas, Poppell said he got the call he was waiting for.
"They said 'Is this Mr. Poppell?' and they bluntly said, 'We have Pepper,'" Poppell described.
Marion County officials said Pepper had been brought to a shelter to be neutered. When staff scanned Pepper for a microchip, it notified them that Pepper had been stolen.
Poppell said he picked up Pepper the very next day and still can't believe he's finally home.
"Best Christmas present ever," he said.