Advertisement Florida dog who made mysterious trek to Salem heads home Owner says Cooper disappeared in May Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A dog who somehow traveled 1,500 miles from Florida to Salem is now headed back home.View photos of Cooper's trip.Cooper the dog is making the trek down to Naples, Florida, with the help of dozens of volunteers.View video as Cooper gets ready for the ride home.The dog disappeared from his back yard nine months ago."I've received several strays here in Salem, but I've never had one come from that far," said Corie Bliss, Salem animal control officer.The dog showed up in Salem a week and a half ago, but how he got there remains a mystery. Cooper had no collar, but he had a microchip, which enabled police to track down the owner.Bliss said there's a lesson there for every pet owner."Always microchip your pets," she said. ''Dogs, cats -- microchip them and keep the registration current.""He's in really good shape," said Barbara Hanson of Kindred Hearts Transport. "He looks like he's been well taken care of, so he's been with someone."Hanson is one of 30 people who have volunteered to get Cooper home. She planned to drive the first leg before handing Cooper off to another driver in Massachusetts. Hanson said transporting animals is the most rewarding part of her job."You get to interact with the dogs, get them out of being caged up or being lost," she said.Cooper will be traveling with all the comforts of home. His family even sent him a pillow and a toy to play with.Bliss said Cooper loves to ride in the car, and that's good, because the 1,500-mile journey will take three days. While she will miss him, she said this is why she does her job."Cooper is going home," she said.