Salem family reunited with dog United Airlines mistakenly sent to Japan
A Salem family's move to Kansas took an unexpected turn when their dog was accidentally sent to Japan.
Abby Luschei
After being separated from their dog for nearly four days, the Swindle family from Salem is reunited with their beloved furry friend in Wichita, Kansas.
On Tuesday, United Airlines accidentally switched two families' dogs and sent them to the wrong locations – the Swindle's to Japan and another family's to Kansas City.
Kara Swindle, her husband, Joseph, and their two children are in the process of moving from Salem to Wichita, Kansas.
After flying from Portland to Kansas City on Tuesday, Swindle went to the cargo facility to pick up her family's dog, Irgo.
An already stressful experience took an unexpected turn when a Great Dane came out of the kennel instead of their 10-year-old German Shepherd.
"I was in shock, instantly in tears, wondering where my dog was instead of this dog," Swindle said.
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Swindle had dropped Irgo at the Portland International Airport cargo facility Monday. He was supposed to fly to Denver and spend the night, and then fly to Kansas City the next day.
He flew separately because the cargo space on the family's flight was already full.
"Somehow, in-between going from Denver to Kansas City the two dogs got switched. Not exactly sure how, they aren’t sure how either," she said.
Swindle has been in contact with the family in Japan, who have their dog back now. The Great Dane was able to get on a flight to Japan right away. Irgo's trip was a little more complicated.
However, the German Shepherd made his way back to his family in style – by private charter.
Swindle and her children picked him up at the Wichita Airport at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Reach out to Abby Luschei at aluschei@statesmanjournal.com or call 503-399-6747 regarding all things entertainment. Follow her on Twitter @abbyluschei or like her page facebook.com/luscheiabby.