In honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, here's another great lost-dog reunion story from our partner, HomeAgain. You can help lost pets get home again: Sign up to receive lost pet alerts when a dog or cat goes missing in your area.

If your pet's not microchipped, download and print this coupon for 50% off the cost of microchipping your pet at any Banfield Pet Hospital in October.

Kiki wandered out after a neighbor left the gate open -- from Lupe in Hollister, CA

Our tragedy began around 8:15 Sunday, with a neighborhood kid getting into our back yard for his ball and leaving our gate open. Kiki walked out to the front.

Some kids walking their dogs took a liking to her and took Kiki instead of asking
around to find out whose dog it was. I have
no idea what they were thinking or why they did this.

I walked and drove by several times. I could hear her barking, but I could also hear many other dogs barking too. I wasn't sure if it was her because I could not see her. Kiki is very loving and friendly and plays well with others.

October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, so last month in our newsletter, we asked how your shelter or rescue mutt is smart, savvy and amazing. Here are excerpts from some of your emails.

Ali's two rescued dogs, Gidget and Gracie, participate with Ali in agility. "They are both so quick to pick up on new behaviors and love to work and have fun," Ali writes. "Gidget has been competing for a year. Gracie is still learning, but when she's ready, she's going to be awesome!"

Jeanne takes her dog Bailey to visit a senior citizen home once or twice a week. When Jeanne gets ready to go, she gives her other two dogs special treats. And even though Bailey loves the treats, she has figured out that no treat means she gets to go with Jeanne. "Is that smart or what? I love that dog!" Jeanne says. At home, Bailey is rambunctious, but "when we go to the senior home, she is very gentle with the older people, more so than she is with me and my other dogs -- like she knows she can't be rough with these older people."