Ottawa woman reunited with stolen dog found in Wyoming

The last few weeks of Alaina Tripp's life might as well beout of a movie.

What began with heartbreak last September when her puppy Teddy was stolen from her downtown Ottawa apartment, led to skepticism, then joy last month when she received a series of phone calls and messages telling her the miniature white poodlehad been found.

"I thought it was a joke," she recalled.

Tripp had gotten Teddy the month before he was taken, after her previous dog got sick and had to be put down.

"We were just starting to bond and as soon as we got that solid bond it was taken away," Tripptold CBC. "Everyone told me I'd never see him again."

As it turns out, everyone was wrong.

Stolen poodle found in Wyoming finally reunited with Ottawa owner

26 days ago

Duration 0:52

Alaina Tripp, whose dog Teddy was stolen from her apartment in September 2023, says his return has put her on cloud nine.

The rescue

Two weeks ago, Don Nethicumara, an officer with the Riverton Police Department (RPD) in Wyoming,pulled overa vehicle for running a red lightwhen he noticeda warrant for the driver's arrest.

Ottawa police previouslytoldCBC Newsthe man waswanted in connection witha residential break-and-enter.

According to Nethicumara, the warrant indicated the manwas in possession of a stolen dog named Teddy, who was in thecar at the time.

"He seemed like he was a little hyperactive from being cooped up in that vehicle for that long," Nethicumara said, adding his fur was mattedbut he was otherwise unharmed.

The RPDtracked down Trippthrough theOttawa and Valley Lost Pet Network a Facebook group run by a group of volunteers, including Lori Ann Borutski.

Borutskihelped connect them with Tripp, and work began to bring Teddy home.

The long-awaited reunion

Shannon Sanderson, an animal control officer with the RPDtook the lead on sorting out the logistics, but really she said "it was a group effort."

"Boss' Bark Boutiquedid his grooming for his trip back to Canada," Sanderson said, and staff at the Paws for Life animal shelter in Rivertondrove Teddyto the airport in Denver for his flight home.

From there, he made a stop in Los Angelesbefore flyingto TorontoPearson International Airportlast Friday.

Tripp had been nervous not knowing how she would make it to Toronto to meet Teddysince she doesn't drive, but Borutski told her "Wherever he came in, I would take her."

Once they knew he would be arriving in Toronto, "Off we went," she said.

Ottawa Morning9:22Ottawa woman reunited with stolen dog after 10-month ordeal

Alaina Tripp's poodle Teddy was stolen from her apartment last fall. Ten months later, police in Wyoming pulled over a man at a traffic stop and found the dog.

A happy reunion, a new beginning

"He remembered me instantly," Tripp said with a smile. "[It was]like one of those moments that feels unreal, thatyou're so happy that your happiness can't be contained."

Hollywood would have you believe that good stories end with a reunion at the airport, but for Tripp, that was just the beginning.

Sitting ona bench at Dundonald Park with Teddy perched calmly next to her just days after their reunion, Trippsaid she looks forward to seeing what the future brings for them.

In the four days Teddy's been back, Trippsaidhe's been adjusting to his new surroundings welland is healthy. He even gets along with hernewest dog, Milo.

"It's hard to believe that running a red light led to Teddy coming home," she reflected.

She'sgrateful to everyone who made his journey back to her possible.

But after everything,she said, "It'll be nice ... to settle into this week of justme, Teddy and Milo."