Puppy found in Miami after jumping from car on Carolina highway

An elderly woman’s pet dog that went missing after jumping out a car window on a South Carolina highway nearly two weeks ago has been found 600 miles away in Miami, according to reports.

The dog, a miniature poodle mix named Belle, vanished after leaping from the back window of the family vehicle as it traveled near State Road 7 and U.S. Highway 17 in West Ashley on July 15, according to The Associated Press.

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Tim Whitfield, the owner’s son, immediately turned to social media for help, telling his Facebook followers that he bought the puppy for his 90-year-old mother after her previous dog of 16 years died recently.

“Through a miracle from God, your prayers, active searching and sharing, Belle has been found in Miami, Florida!!!” Whitfield announced in a statement to Facebook on Sunday after more than a week of uncertainty.

He had offered a reward of $2,000 for the dog’s safe return, but the days ticked by with no new developments.

Whitfield said he waited a short time to break the bad news to his mother, and when the time was right, he asked his Facebook friends for prayers. Afterward, he said his mother was “heartbroken” by the news.

During the weekend, the unexpected happened.

Whitfield learned that a car traveling through Charleston and bound for Miami spotted Belle that same day. Fearing for the dog’s safety, someone picked her up in the middle of traffic, WCIV-TV reported.

The occupants of the car were then able to track down Whitfield through his social media posts about Belle.

Whitfield thanked all the people who helped share Belle’s story in a message posted to Facebook on Sunday.

“A great reminder that when all seems lost, hope must be the constant thought,” he said.

A reunion was expected later Monday.

― Information provided by The Associated Press was used to supplement this report.