Stolen puppy reunites with family after four years

CEDAR RAPIDS-After four years, an Eastern Iowa family finally reunites with a lost relative, the family dog.  The Hodson family eagerly awaited their four-year-old Labrador mix Gretchen's arrival from Washington state at The Eastern Iowa Airport.  It's the story of the missing piece to the Hodson family puzzle.

"Nervous, well beyond nervous,” said Margaret Hodson who reunited with the family dog Saturday.

Back in 2007, the Hodsons learned terrible news; their Labrador mix Gretchen was stolen.

"We knocked on people's doors we posted signs everywhere. I called all the veterinary clinics and we continued to do this for at least a year, a year and a half if not more,” said Hodson.

"I remembered her I didn't forget her I still remembered that she got stolen,” said Meghan Case who reunited with the family dog Saturday.

The Hodsons were stationed in Washington while husband, Travis was in the US Army.  Since his deployment to Afghanistan, the family has since moved back to Iowa.  But there was one missing link.

"I thought for sure we lost her I thought for sure I wasn't going to see her again,” said Hodson.

After waiting four years, their stolen puppy was found safe and sound wandering near a lake in Fort Lewis, Washington.  She arrived at The Eastern Iowa Airport on an American Airlines flight Saturday morning to open arms.

"It was pretty neat, I love to see her back,” said Case.

The kids have grown up and Gretchen has too.

"She wasn't as big as this now,” said Case.

But she fits right in.

"She's been a protector, she's been loyal, a good family member,” said Hodson.

A piece of technology, a microchip, helped put this family back together.

"I'm really glad we had her chipped because if we hadn't we wouldn't of been able to ever find her,” said Hodson.

After a long flight from the west coast, Gretchen and the Hodsons can now move on to the next chapter, together again.