It sounds like a pitch for a far-fetched movie: “Cast Away,” but with a dog instead of Tom Hanks. Only this sea tale is true.
A California fisherman’s beloved German shepherd fell overboard and was presumed drowned. More than a month later, she was found.
The 1 ½-year-old dog named Luna was spotted this week on San Clemente Island, a Navy-owned training base 70 miles off San Diego.
The blue-eyed pup disappeared Feb. 10 as Nick Haworth, a commercial fisherman from San Diego, worked on a boat 2 miles from the island.
“They were pulling in their traps, and one minute Luna was there, and the next minute she was gone,” said Sandy DeMunnik, spokeswoman for Naval Base Coronado. “They looked everywhere for her. They couldn’t see her. The water was dark, and she’s dark.”
Haworth notified Navy personnel.
“He insisted that he was 90 percent sure that she made it to shore because she was such a strong swimmer,” DeMunnik said.
Haworth searched the waters for about two days and Navy staff searched the island for about a week but found no sign of Luna.
She was presumed lost at sea. Until Tuesday, that is, when staff arriving for work at the island’s Naval Auxiliary Landing Field spotted something unusual — a dog sitting by the side of the road. Domestic animals aren’t allowed on the island for environmental reasons.
It was Luna.
“She was just sitting there wagging her tail,” DeMunnik said. The staff called to Luna, and she came right over.
A biologist then examined the dog and found her a little thin but otherwise healthy.
“It looks like she was surviving on rodents and dead fish that had washed up,” DeMunnik said.
Officials called Haworth, who was out of state, working in the middle of a lake.
“He was overwhelmed. He was so happy and grateful and thrilled,” DeMunnik said.
Luna was flown to a Navy base on the mainland Wednesday and handed over to Haworth’s best friend, who will care for the dog until Haworth returns Thursday night.
Luna, meanwhile, has a souvenir of the experience. Her dog tag was lost but the Navy gave her a new one, DeMunnik said.
Along with her name, it bears a key lesson in the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape course taught on the island to Navy and Marine personnel. The tag reads: “Keep the Faith.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
She was looked after from above we are also .
Great to read a happy story. Too few and far between.
Great dog story.. Sounds like a Lassie story. Will a movie be next?
Finally, a dog story with a happy ending. America is so angry and weary of the public corruption and criminal politician stories. The abuse the corrupt gubmint heaps on us, we the people.
We need a lot more happy ending dog stories. And less happy ending stories for crooks in and out of gubmint.
We desire more happy ending tails.
…or tales.
It is good to get to read some good news. I am glad she made it.
Great Dog story! Sounds like a Lassie story! Can a movie be next?
I AM SO HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!!!!!
Clean the Government of corrupt career politicians & add a Conservative President, then we will have more happy news in the future.
Our pet dogs are so precious! I want all of mine back in heaven. Thanks fr sharing this special story!
I am so glad the dog was reunited with family. Pets are so precious. I want all my dogs with me in heaven, and the cats too!
Glad dog came home. I want all of mine in heaven with me one day! They are so special!
Your site stinks with this comment business!@ Forget it!
Isn’t this where the Navy Seals train? I know they use dogs for support. This pooch would be an excellent recruit. And then maybe this Luna could tear a chunk out of Jesse Ventura the next time he tries to get in a fight with the Seals.
Makes my day!
Happy endings are so and far between!
Go Luna!