[News] Miracle Dog Found After Five Years!
 

5 years, miles away: Lost dog found
PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. - November 23, 2008 (WPVI) -- The reunion to happen Monday is an early Thanksgiving present to the family.
A male dachshund found as a stray in Pittsburgh, PA has been confirmed as the missing family pet of Elda Arguello of Pleasantville, NJ. "Tootsie", believed to have been stolen from the family's gated yard, has been missing for nearly five years.
Through confirmation via an implanted microchip on the dog, the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania will reunite owner and pet in Harrisburg, PA on Monday, November 24, 2008.
This incredible discovery was made late last week when Edna Colon, daughter of Elda Arguello, responded to a letter that the family received from the shelter in Pittsburgh.
All animals brought to the Animal Rescue League are scanned for an implanted microchip when they are brought to the facility. If a microchip exists, the number is checked in a national database and the owner on file is contacted. In this case, the phone number on file did not yield a response. However, the shelter sent a letter to Ms. Arguello and received a return call several days later.
At only six months of age, Tootsie went missing from the family's gated yard nearly five years ago. At the time, the family had another puppy, a Rottweiler named Baby. Sadly, Baby passed away at the age of three after eating contaminated dog food. The family is both shocked and overwhelmed with joy to receive word that their long lost pet is alive, well, and coming home. Several members of the family will meet an Animal Rescue League staff member tomorrow morning in Harrisburg for the reunion.
The Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania places a microchip in every animal that is adopted from the shelter. The shelter also runs a veterinary clinic that can implant the chip into any pet, whether it is a rescued animal or not.
"Given the distance and time involved in this case, the chances were about one in a million that Tootsie would ever be reunited with his original owners. Without a microchip, the reunion would have been completely unequivocally and undeniably impossible. I can't think of a better ambassador for having your pet micro-chipped than Tootsie," said Janice Barnard, the Animal Rescue League of Western PA's Director of Special Programs.
"We appreciate the Animal Rescue League. If not for them and the microchip, we would never have seen Tootsie again. Because (the Animal Rescue League) understands animal lovers, they did all that they could to find us. We are so thankful to (the organization) and their work to get Tootsie back to our family," said eighteen year old Edna Colon.
The family looks forward to giving thanks this Thursday for their long-lost family member's return.

(Go to this link to see the video with images of Tootsie. )
From the Philadelphia news leader: 5 years, miles away: Lost dog found - 11/23/08 - Philadelphia News - 6abc.com

What a neat story...THis happened to my neighbor who lost her Lab in Canada and 8 years later she got a call that Yeller was found..Because of the Microchip. She went to Canada and got him and what a character..Loves Water....

These stories amaze me! :D

I was JUST going to post this store- good job Judy. THIS is why we microchip!

i got chills through out my body reading this,, im sooo happy. what a day
for that family

My question would be, obviously this dog was living with someone for
five years, why did their vet not scan for the chip? It took this
poor family 5yrs, with chip too, to get their dog back.
What a wonderful Christmas present for the family. I wonder if the
dog will remember his lost family?

Maybe he never went to a vet. :(

What a great story.

Another :thumbup: to microchips.

they thought he was stolen- so clearly they were not looking for his original owners :(

Isn't that the purpose of the chip? If a dog is stolen the chip is suppose
to give you hope. Who was not looking for the original owners?
Sorry I don't understand what you are saying.

love happy stories!!

That's ok- the doxie was stolen out of his yard. So if you steal a dog you probably dont' bring it to the vet to see if it has a chip right? So somehow the dog ended up at the shelter (maybe the stolen owners gave it up)and THAT"S when they looked for a chip.

That I understood, I just didn't understand what you said. LOL
As long as the pup is home that's what counts. Yayyyyyyyyyyy

Oh my what a wonderful story. And just near Christmas . Perfect timing :)

Wow what a touching story. It's nice to read some good news especially right before the holiday.

that so Awesome! :D

Awww, what a happy lucky story. :D

AMAZING!!!!! I dont think i could go five years with out my sasha. Glad to hear he at home where he belongs now. Good thing that micro chip and sashas getting it. It might be a bit painful, but im gonna get it done when she goes to spayed so hopefully not too much.

I love these stories with happy endings!

Im glad I got Triss chipped.

What a great story!! He looks exactly like my doxie, Spike. :D

worldofyorkies
 

For every story of horror, there comes a ray of hope. This is a remarkable

story and shows there is still some good in this world. We need more

miracles like this one.


Praying for miracles,

worldofyorkies

My little yorkie was stolen on August 22nd. I'll give up finding her when I die--she's out there somewhere--and maybe something like this will happen to me. What a touching story! Gives me hope!

Sorry to hear about your pup, hope you get her back very soon!! :hands: you don't have wait as long.

I'm so sorry your baby was stolen. That's awful!

After reading this, I will definitely microchip Missy!

This happened locally so it has been on the news several times.

Sure, they got the dog back eventually, but is it really a microchip success story? If anything, I think it shows that for 5 years, no vet scanned the dog for a microchip. That's kinda sad.

I agree IF the dog saw a vet during that time. Unfortunately, I think whoever took him may have avoided vets. There's also the issue that not all readers find all chips and some chips migrate.

We absolutely do NOT need to give up on microchips though! What I think we need to do is work toward more consistent policies and practices. All vets should check for microchips at every visit and ALL readers should be able to see ALL brands of microchips.

IMHO at least. :)

Thanks for sharing the story. It is a good one. thanks

What a great story! :) I love happy endings!