Dog lost at sea off California surfaces alive one month on

Los Angeles : The US Navy was surprised this week to find a dog alive and well on an island off California a month after falling off its owner's boat.

Luna, a German shepherd with piercing blue eyes, went overboard in early February while its owner was fishing about a mile off San Clemente island, which is about 80 miles (127 kilometers) from the mainland.

Its owner asked Naval Base Coronado for help in finding the dog, but it was given up for dead after a search lasting several days.

"Fast forward to yesterday," the navy said on the base's Facebook page. "Luna showed up near staff at San Clemente Island -- a little thinner but none the worse for wear."

Luna was turned over to a friend of the owner for safekeeping until he returns from a trip, it said.