An Oklahoma dog owner is celebrating after her 10-month-old Australian Shepherd, Rio, was found safe more than 1,000 miles away in North Carolina. Melissa Burris said Rio disappeared from Sand Springs on July 30, leaving her worried that he had been injured.

Rio was scanned in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Aug. 11, but how he traveled across the country remains a mystery. Burris believes he may have traveled with a long-haul truck driver or a student heading to college. She was simply grateful to learn he was safe and healthy.

Burris drove to North Carolina to bring Rio home, enjoying the mountain scenery along the way. After their long journey back to Oklahoma, Rio was finally reunited with his family. Burris is now reminding other pet owners to make sure their animals are microchipped.

wlwt.com