This is just a theory but from what you said ....to me it looks like he possibly wanted a ride from his family to his job offer and they wouldnt help him. So he got mad and said "im walking" and took off. He is probably at a friends house watching a football game and trying to make his family worry.

I dont think too many 6 foot 3 guys walking down the highway with a pit bull are magnets for muggings or any other kind of trouble.

he has no familly left, they are all gone or dead. eather which way, we got a call from him yesterday, he made it to Utah and was in Navada with his new truck.