Blind Owner Joyfully Reunited With Missing Guide Dog

Eric Brun-Sanglard and his best friend, a 5-year-old golden retriever named Legion, go everywhere together. In July, they took a European vacation, exploring Amsterdam, Paris and the south of France.

Most days, though, Legion is at Brun-Sanglard’s side as the architect walks construction sites and goes about his other duties.

That’s because Legion is Brun-Sanglard’s vision.

“He’s my sight, my independence and my best friend,” Brun-Sanglard, 38, of Hollywood, said about his guide dog. Brun-Sanglard has been blind for five years and has owned Legion for three. “I think some of my other friends are jealous.”

It is little wonder that Brun-Sanglard panicked last Friday when, shortly after 6 p.m., he let Legion out into the frontyard and the dog didn’t return. And no wonder that he was beside himself with joy when the dog was returned under mysterious circumstances early Monday.

“That sensation of becoming blind five years ago hit me all over again,” said Brun-Sanglard, who went blind after his retinas detached because of an HIV-related virus.

The incident got heavy play on local television stations. Brun-Sanglard and roommate Steve Copeland, 37, also circulated fliers in their neighborhood. Then they got word of another person circulating a “dog found” flier in the same area. The photos resembled Legion. Brun-Sanglard called the number and left a message.

About 1 a.m. Monday, a man called back and left instructions for Brun-Sanglard to find the dog tied to a chain-link fence about six miles away, alone and unhurt.

“I was starting to lose hope,” Brun-Sanglard said. “But there he was. He was so happy to see me.”

Det. Stephen P. Brucher of the Hollywood Division said police weren’t sure if the dog had been stolen or got lost. The circumstances of his return prompted an investigation, Brucher added.

“The publicity surrounding the animal may have gotten too high and he became fearful,” Brucher said of the person who returned Legion. “Or this could have been the act of a good Samaritan. We don’t know.”

Whatever the circumstances, Brun-Sanglard was happy to give Legion, who is worth $45,000, the day off Monday. He let the dog lounge around the house.

“He’s a friendly dog, probably too friendly,” Brun-Sanglard said. “All I could say when we found him was, ‘Don’t do that again.’ ”