San Jose, Calif.- A little girl's offer of her piggy bank paid off with the return of her best friend.
Earlier this week, thieves stole 10-year-old Marissa Mabanag's dog "Meeko" during a burglary at her California home.
Devastated, she offered the contents of her piggy bank as a reward for his safe return. That plea went public and police say it had the desired effect.
They believe the crooks dumped Meeko after seeing his picture on the Internet and TV news coverage of the reward.
The woman who returned the pup says someone gave her the puppy which they claimed they found wandering in a parking lot.
As the dog and child were reunited, Marissa exclaimed, "I just can't believe he's in my arms right now." Her mother thanked the woman who returned the dog, "You made an amazing ending. I couldn't ask for anything better."
In the end, Marissa got to hang on to her piggy bank. Police officers presented the good Samaritan with a $6,000 reward check gathered by first responders and city officials. In return, she told Marissa to keep savings.
Marissa Mabanag & her dog Meeko celebrate his return (KGO San Francisco)
