It's said cats have nine lives, but one dog in Jefferson County might have a few extra, too!

Luann and Mike Petty got a call Thursday from a person living near their storage business who heard a dog barking inside one of the units. Luann says they pulled up and didn't hear anything, but decided to open the unit anyway. When they lifted the door, a rat terrier came running out. The Pettys say the man who rents the unit said he had it opened just a few minutes and, evidently, the dog scooted in and he didn't know it.

But that was 13 days ago. Turns out, the dog's name was Jessica, and she'd run off from Susan Adams home about two miles away in Meriden during a storm.

The Jefferson County Humane Society recognized Jessica from a poster Susan had hung up around town. Nicole Thomas with JCHS says those flyers are a good idea when someone loses a pet. They should include any information a person might have about the pet - whether they were wearing a collar, its color, any tags the animal has. Thomas says any information could help bring a lost pet back home.

In Jessica's case, it helped make for a happy, emotional reunion.

"They are good people," Susan said through tears. "They have big hearts. I really appreciate these people."

Jessica is doggone grateful, too! After 13 days without food and water, she's a little thinner, but otherwise okay, and ready to high-tail it home!

In addition to flyers, if you lose your pet, be sure to visit your area humane shelter in person so you can look firsthand to see if he or she's been brought in.