SAN DIEGO -- A dog stranded after Hurricane Katrina was reunited with its owner in San Diego Saturday before being flown back to New Orleans.

Brutus and his owner, William Gugliuzza, were separated in early September after rescuers found them stranded on a rooftop, days after the hurricane swamped the Gulf Coast city, county officials said.

Gugliuzza was rescued, but told he couldn't take his dog with him, and for weeks had presumed the pet had drowned, according to the county.

Luckily, Brutus was later saved and flown to San Diego, where a County Animal Services employee was able to track down the owner online.

Gugliuzza was scheduled to fly to San Diego from New Orleans before being reunited with Brutus in the morning at the County Animal Shelter, 5480 Gaines St., then taken back home in time for the holidays.