Young girl searches for puppy after family members say it was stolen

FRESNO, Calif. -- A cancer-stricken 8-year-old girl is searching for her dog after family members say it was stolen.

Frida, is a Malamute Husky puppy and the service animal for Zurylisa Garcia. The two are extremely close, the dog comforts the 8-year-old as she battles brain cancer.

"They sleep together," Zurylisa's mother Jessica Garcia said. "They're always fighting. She's always biting on her, always fighting."

But the family hasn't seen Frida in more than a day. Garcia believes she was taken at their northwest Fresno apartment complex early Saturday morning. She says that's when the puppy went out to use the bathroom on its own. "So, she usually runs back inside, but she didn't make it back in." Garcia said.

They've searched, asked their neighbors and put the word out on social media. If Frida is returned, the family won't ask questions and is even offering a reward -- anything to bring Zurylisa's best friend home.

"When I see her again I'm going to give her lots of hugs," Zurylisa said. "You're going to give her lots of hugs when you see her again, when they bring her back to you?"

The Garcia's say they will be posting flyers around the neighborhood today and will work as hard as they can to figure out where Frida is or who took her.