Dog Stolen in Burglary Reunited with Owner Days Later

TEMPLE TERRACE, FL — When burglars broke into Makayla Nealer’s Temple Terrace home on Monday, they took one thing that simply could not be replaced: her dog Zeus. The loss of the 1-year-old pit bull weighed so heavily on Nealer, she reached out to local media and shared the story on Facebook. Days passed, but there were no signs of Zeus.

That changed early Saturday morning when a Temple Terrace resident happened to spot a stray dog in a front yard. Hoping to reunite the pup with its owner, the good Samaritan brought it to BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa.

When Dr. Kate Brammer saw the dog, she couldn’t help but think he looked familiar. With one ear that sticks straight up and another that flops down on the top of his head, Zeus has a rather distinct appearance.

“I thought, that’s the dog on Facebook,” Brammer said.

A quick check for a microchip confirmed Brammer’s suspicions. The dog brought to BluePearl Oct. 29 was the one reported stolen in Temple Terrace Monday.

It didn’t take BluePearl staff members long to reach out to Nealer, who drove down immediately to claim Zeus.

While a 60-inch TV, jewelry and laptops were stolen from Nealer’s house on Monday, it was the loss of Zeus that broke her heart. It also seemed to have a profound impact on Zeus' brother, Apollo. The dog left behind hadn't left her side since Zeus was taken, ABC Action News reported.

As days passed, Nealer feared the worst for her pup.

“Are they hurting him, or are they fighting him god forbid, or are they using him as a bait dog,” Nealer told ABC earlier in the week. “Every worst-case scenario goes through my head.”

Those fears have now been laid to rest thanks to the good Samaritan who has not been named. BluePearl said Zeus was in good enough condition Saturday to go home with Nealer for a reunion with his brother Apollo.

Just where Zeus has been or what he'd been doing since his Monday disappearance remains a mystery.

Photo courtesy of BluePearl Veterinary Partners