A remix by 13-year-old Yorkie named Sgt. Pepper has been reunited with her rightful owner after seven years, multiple carers and over 1,000 miles.
Pepper was just 6 years old when he went missing from Laurie Davies’ yard in Florida in 2014. Last Monday, he was found wandering a rainy street in Charlotte, Michigan. The soggy dog was brought in by Eaton County Animal Control, where he is routinely microchiped. This led straight to Davies, who rushed to Michigan to hold his boy again.
Like any good dog mom, Davies began her frantic search seven years ago when Sgt. Pepper is missing. She soon discovered his photo was in a “Found Dog” post on Craigslist, but when she reached out, Davies was told that Pepper had “Confirmed by someone who is not its actual owner.”
Despite this fatal defeat, Davies refused to give up. She filed a police report and informed the chip company that Pepper had been stolen. Although seven years passed without a trace of her dog, she never gave up on home. She keeps his microchip up to date, updating her contact information as recently as February 2020.
And now that diligence has finally paid off!
“While we do not know every detail of Sgt Pepper’s journey, we have discovered how he got to Michigan,” animal control officials said in a statement. animal control said. “Sergeant Pepper has been living with a family for the past 5 years who were unaware of his stolen and microchip condition.”
“We are grateful that they understood that Sergeant Pepper must be reunited with his original family, and we ask that everyone be sensitive to their circumstances,” the department said. “This incredible story demonstrates the value of microchiping your pet and keeping your contact information up to date.”
Sgt. Pepper’s current microchip information means Eaton County Animal Control was able to contact Davies “within minutes of possession of the dog.” Stunned and overjoyed, she boarded a plane to Michigan.
Even though Davies sees changes in Pepper after 7 years – he’s sick and his eyesight is declining – she says he still recognizes her when they reunite.
“Oh, that’s amazing,” Davies told CBS4. “Absolutely amazing. I’m telling you I was in tears, that’s for sure.”
Sergeant Pepper has also been reunited with his long-lost brother and another family dog. Davies says he’s made it himself at home and feels like a great fit.
“He might only have a few years left,” she said. “But it’s great that he’s comfortable with the people he loves, and I love him.”
Laurie and Sgt Pepper are a lucky couple, but there’s an important element to this great story.
“This story also serves as a reminder why it is so IMPORTANT to find all the microchipped dogs,” the Eaton County Animal Control Department said in their statement. “It’s also a great idea if you buy any new dogs you buy that have a microchip scan just in case, especially if any part of the pet’s history is unknown.”
H/T to People.com & CBS4.com
Featured images via Facebook / Eaton County Animal Control
