The man who stole Brittany Valentine's car pulled over a few blocks away and left the dog, Roxy, next to a tree.
Another man saw that happen and eventually took the dog home while he tried to find the owner.
His family members told him the dog looked just like one they'd seen watching our story on Eyewitness News on Friday night.
Over the weekend, he tracked down Valentine.
CHP holds graduation ceremony to welcome new K-9 teams
CHP holds graduation ceremony to welcome new K-9 teams
"He calls me and he's like, 'I think I have your dog," Valentine told ABC7. "I'm like, 'No way. Could you just send me a picture so I could make sure?'
"When he sent that picture, I just started crying because ... I'm scraming, I'm crying, I'm like, 'Thank you God. Roxy is coming home.'"
In addition to Roxy's safe return, Valentine's abandoned vehicle was also recovered.
Police were examining surveillance video from the gas station in hopes of identifying the car thief.