All the while, searchers from local police and fire agencies tried to track him. At one point, a searcher saw Annie but soon lost sight of her.

Bland said he wasn't too worried about Annie, figuring she would find her way back. She had a collar with the family's contact information, but he later learned the student had removed it at some point during the journey.

A passing bike rider, Joel Bishop, said he first noticed the coonhound when he approached the bike path gazebo south of Weiden Road at about 9 a.m. Monday. He then saw the student and went for help.

"Police said she was still walking step for step with him," Bland said.

The student, whose feet were only covered in socks, was loaded into an ambulance, and the Blands showed up a short time later to retrieve Annie.

"She was sore when she got back. She could hardly walk, but she's better today," Bland said.

He said he has no hard feelings over the student's unannounced visit Sunday, noting he didn't take anything and wasn't threatening.

"I think it's a young kid with some problems, and if the dog was able to help him, it's a good thing," Bland said.

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