South Bay Family Reunited with Lost Dog After Years

The Pichardo family is overjoyed to have their French bulldog Koko back home after a scammer tried to extort them.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:50am

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of a family embracing their dog in a warm, out-of-focus setting, conveying the emotion and joy of their long-awaited reunion.A heartwarming reunion between a San Jose family and their beloved French bulldog, Koko, after years of searching.San Jose Today

After nearly two and a half years, the Pichardo family in San Jose, California was reunited with their lost French bulldog Koko. The family had been searching for Koko and their other missing dog Gizmo since a gardener left their backyard gate open in 2023. During the search, the family was targeted by scammers who tried to extort them. This week, a woman in San Francisco named Zoe Maxine contacted the family after realizing the dog she had bought off Craigslist was actually Koko.

Why it matters

The story highlights the heartbreak and challenges families face when their beloved pets go missing, as well as the unscrupulous tactics some people will use to take advantage of those situations. It also underscores the importance of microchipping pets and the role social media and online communities can play in reuniting lost animals with their owners.

The details

In 2023, the Pichardo family's two French bulldogs, Koko and Gizmo, went missing after a gardener left their backyard gate open in San Jose. The family searched tirelessly, checking local shelters and activating the dogs' microchips, but had no luck finding them. At one point, the family was targeted by scammers who demanded $500 to return the dogs. After nearly two and a half years, Zoe Maxine in San Francisco contacted the Pichardos, saying she had bought a dog she named 'Mochi' off Craigslist and had become suspicious the dog was actually Koko. Maxine said she decided to return the dog to the rightful owners.

  • In 2023, the Pichardo family's two French bulldogs went missing from their San Jose home.
  • Over the next two and a half years, the family continued searching for their lost pets.
  • This week, Zoe Maxine in San Francisco contacted the Pichardo family about the dog she had purchased.

The players

Melissa Pichardo

Koko's owner and member of the Pichardo family in San Jose.

Eva Pichardo

Also Koko's owner and a member of the Pichardo family in San Jose.

Zoe Maxine

A 23-year-old resident of San Francisco who purchased the dog she named 'Mochi' off Craigslist, later realizing it was actually Koko.

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What they’re saying

“'Time just kept going on and we kept checking, going to local shelters, we activated them as missing with their microchips.'”

— Melissa Pichardo, Koko's owner

“'They asked us to give them $500 and they said 'send it through Apple Pay, send it right now or else we are sending your dogs to Nevada'.'”

— Melissa Pichardo, Koko's owner

“'I really did miss her.'”

— Eva Pichardo, Koko's owner

“'She sent the pictures of Koko, and we just bawled our eyes out. We said 'That's her that's her'.'”

— Melissa Pichardo, Koko's owner

“'I didn't feel right keeping her when her owner was searching for her. I'm happy her owner gets to know she's alive and well and is reunited with her.'”

— Zoe Maxine

What’s next

The Pichardo family continues to search for their other missing dog, Gizmo, hoping he will also be returned home.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story of a lost pet being reunited with its family after years of searching highlights the power of persistence, the importance of microchipping animals, and the need for more awareness around pet theft and scams targeting vulnerable pet owners.