Dog Lost At Sea And Presumed Dead Found Alive On San Clemente Island 5 Weeks Later

SAN DIEGO (CBSLA.com) — A German Shepherd lost at sea and presumed dead five weeks ago was found alive on San Clemente Island Tuesday in a survival story fit for a "Lassie" episode.

Luna, a 1½-year-old, blue-eyed German Shepherd, was presumed to have died after falling overboard from a commercial fishing boat near San Clemente Island on Feb. 20, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Owner Nick Haworth and search teams combed the area for days after his dog's mysterious disappearance, but had no luck. By Feb. 20, Haworth paid tribute to Luna with a mournful Facebook post.

But miraculously, Luna appears to have swum ashore on San Clemente Island and survived for weeks on the island's natural offerings. She was discovered on a roadside by Navy service members.

She was described as malnourished but otherwise in good health.

Luna was placed in the care of a family friend until Haworth returns from a trip on Thursday, the newspaper reported.