There's a happy ending for the three-legged Golden Retriever who was found in the Rancho Bernardo area in December. Though his owners were never found, the dog was adopted just in time for the holidays by Jeff and Debbie Schroeder of Vista and their sons Wyatt, 12, and Zeke, 10.

The 4-year-old male was picked up as a stray on Dec. 9 by a good Samaritan who took him to the Carmel Mountain Ranch Veterinary Hospital. He was subsequently transferred to the county shelter in Carlsbad.

"We were hoping to find the owner but he had no microchip or license," said Lauren A. Joniaux, deputy director of the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. "This is another reason we encourage people to microchip their pets."

Shelter staff said they couldn't be sure why the dog had only three legs without knowing where he came from.

After a mandatory hold period, the pooch was put up for adoption.

Fate intervened on Dec. 15 when Wyatt and Zeke's school closed early.

"I said, 'Let's go and see if we can find our dog,' " Debbie Schroeder said. This had become a routine for the family as they continued a search for a Golden Retriever through rescue groups and shelters.

The pup became animated at the sight of the boys, and the family was immediately smitten. His handicap did not deter them.  

The only catch was that someone had already placed a hold on the dog and was scheduled for an interaction at 10 a.m. on Dec. 21. The interactions give potential owners the opportunity to meet and play with the animals before deciding if they want to adopt them. If, after the interaction time, the potential owners decide they do not want the animal or do not show up, the person with the next appointment gets a chance.

Debbie Schroeder scheduled an appointment for 11 a.m. on Dec. 21 and arrived an hour early, this time by herself because the boys were camping with their father. She thought she was home free until the woman with the 10 a.m. appointment showed up at 10:58 a.m. Fortunately for Debbie Schroeder, the woman decided not to adopt the dog.

During the interaction with the pooch, Debbie Schroeder checked the pads of his paws, which provided insight into his previous life.

"They were pristine like a baby's bottom," she said. "I thought, 'He was a pampered dog!' " The vet indicated that the dog also was overweight, most likely further evidence of a sedentary lifestyle. Although the pup had dropped from 81 pounds to 73 pounds since arriving at the shelter, the vet set a goal of losing an additional 10 pounds.

"Because he was overweight, he was unable to get in my Honda Pilot because it was too high," Debbie Schroeder said. "The vet had to lift and put him into the car himself."

After they got home, Debbie Schroeder's sister arrived.

"She's a dog trainer and thought he was a good dog but agreed that he needed to lose weight," Debbie Schroeder said.

As much as she wanted him for her own family, Debbie Schroeder felt empathy for the dog and launched her own search for the owners by contacting Golden Retriever rescue groups and local vets. She also posted announcements on the Internet, but no one came forward.

When the campers returned, the dog was named "Beekers."

"My dad called me 'Zeekers' but he thought I was getting too old for the name," 10-year-old Zeke Schroeder said. "He suggested 'Beekers' because it reminded him of it."

Due to Beekers' physical handicap and excess weight, it was apparent that Beekers had not been leash trained. Debbie Schroeder purchased a special harness for three-legged dogs. This prevents Beekers from choking while walking on a leash. A special handle on the harness makes it possible for a human to lift and help Beekers climb into vehicles.

Over the holidays, Beekers has displayed a number of idiosyncrasies that have enhanced his charm.

"One night he saw his reflection in our sliding glass door and started growling and barking," Debbie Schroeder said, smiling.

In the short time that he's been in the Schroeder home, Beekers has already overcome his fear of the stairs that go down a slope in the backyard.

"At first, he'd belly crawl down the steps," Debbie Schroeder said. "Now he runs up and down them."

Beekers soon will be confronted with other lessons in adjusting to a more active lifestyle in his new home.

"Because we camp, we want him to get used to getting into a truck," Debbie Schroeder said. "But we couldn't ask for a better dog."

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story had incorrect figures for the dog's weight. He currently weighs 73 pounds, not 63 pounds.