Jrluis Ruiz had only looked away for three minutes while helping his cousin pack their car, but that was all it took for his beloved Belgian Malinois puppy to disappear.

The 24-year-old Marine Corps veteran had decided to spend that sunny Sunday afternoon taking in the sights and cooling off at Middleton’s Ideal Beach with family.

“Sunday August 9, I came out here with my cousin and his family and both our dogs over at Ideal Beach,” Ruiz told the New Jersey News Network. “It’s a dog-friendly park. It was a beautiful day.”

When it was time to depart, Ruiz put Apollo in his truck while he helped his cousin pack up their car. When Ruiz turned back toward his truck, the front door window was wide open and his 3-month-old puppy was gone. “I know he was taken,” said Ruiz. “He’s not one to run away.”

Upon discovering the disappearance, Ruiz was completely frantic.

“I’m not exaggerating at all when I say he’s literally the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he told CBS News.

Ruiz had just finished active duty in the Marine Corps in the summer of 2019 and is now in the Reserves. He had gotten Apollo during the Fourth of July as a gift from a friend in the same unit.

Since their initial introduction, Ruiz and Apollo developed an unbreakable bond.

“He was going into training,” Ruiz said emotionally. “I was gonna have him be a service animal and was trying to get him to my service animal.”

“I was a happier person with him. Any problems I had just went away when he entered my life.”

Groups of volunteers have assisted in sweeping the beach, but so far there have been no signs of Apollo. After filing police reports in every nearby town, Ruiz took to social media in hopes of spreading the word about his missing best friend.

The Find Apollo Facebook page has many pictures of Apollo and also features the dog’s missing poster. Ruiz acts as the administrator of the group, posting news articles related to the disappearance as well as any potential leads. So far, however, Apollo’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Ruiz is now offering a $2,000, no-questions-asked reward in exchange for the safe return of Apollo.

“I just don’t want him being sold or something worse than that to happen to him,” he said.

Ruiz’s search for Apollo has been featured on various local news networks, and while there have been many tips and an outpouring of support, Ruiz has yet to be reunited with his beloved dog.

If you have any information regarding Apollo’s whereabouts, you are asked to take a picture and to contact the Middleton police.

Ruiz also encourages tipsters to post leads on the Find Apollo Facebook page or to contact him directly via phone at (973) 997-7183.

Apollo is described as a three-month-old, brown Belgian Malinois, weighing approximately fifteen pounds. He has brown and black eyes, pointed ears, a black face, and a distinctive tail.

“I said it a million times, and I’ll say it again. Apollo is the best thing that ever happened to me. I just want him home.”

Hear more about Ruiz and Apollo in the video below.

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Source: CBS News, New Jersey News Network, FIND Apollo (Facebook)