Mike Contreras refused to turn off his Christmas lights until his entire family was home to celebrate.
Finally this week, Contreras flipped the switch.
After 22 days of searching, about 300 fliers and an anonymous $1,000 reward, Contreras found his 8-year-old dog, Madison.
“We left our lights on until we found him. Now he’s home and our holidays are complete,” Contreras, of Denver, said.
On Dec. 20, Contreras left his 1997 GMC Jimmy running while he ran into the 7-Eleven at South Sheridan Boulevard and West Jewell Avenue in Lakewood. Madison was in his usual spot in the front seat.
When Contreras came back three minutes later, both the truck and the Lhasa apso were gone.
Sheridan police recovered the truck three days later in the 3300 block of Bryant Street. The vehicle had a broken windshield and a destroyed interior; in the back were two 3-foot-tall characters from a nativity scene. But Madison was still missing.
After 9News aired a story on Madison, an anonymous donor called the station and offered a $1,000 reward for his return.
“We searched north, west, east, south and every direction in between,” Con treras said.
On Monday, Contreras found Madison while he was handing out new fliers at the Denver Dumb Friends League at 2080 S. Quebec St., he said.
“It was the most wonderful feeling when we found him,” he said.
The day after the vehicle was stolen, Madison was found near the area where the vehicle was abandoned. Madison was taken to the Alameda East Veterinary Hospital because he had a limp in his right front paw. Contreras said the dog had the limp before he was stolen, and no other injuries were discovered while he was at the hospital.
From the hospital, Madison was taken to the shelter, where he stayed for 10 days before Contreras found him Monday and took him home.
Jordan Steffen:303-954-1638 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
