Richard Aulisio of Mission Viejo had been looking for Beetle for two days in La Habra when police called him early Thursday to say the dog had been found, The Orange County Register reported.

"Beetle was so happy to see me," he said. "He was a little sick when I got him, but he is pepping up and walking around."

The dog was snatched Monday night, Christmas Eve, while Aulisio was in an Applebee's in La Habra. Police officers found him when they checked a car parked behind a closed business.

Gilbert Chavez and Shauna Bateman, the human occupants of the car, were charged with possession of stolen property.

Aulisio said he and some friends planned a late Christmas celebration Thursday with their dogs.