Missing Dog Reunites with His Family After More Than 4 Years — and in a Location Over 1,000 Miles Away
A paw-fect reunion!
A dog that went missing in California has been reunited with his family after more than four years, and in a location over 1,000 miles away.
Rome, an English Bulldog, went missing in January 2021 when he left his backyard as a puppy, according to Austin Pets Alive (APA).
Per the organization, Rome's family searched all over for him — posting flyers, knocking on doors and filing police reports — to no avail.
Earlier this year, in February, the animal was found tied to the gate of APA's Tarrytown location in Austin, Texas, alongside a small Chihuahua.
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Related: Wiener Dog Lost on Rugged Island for 529 Days Is Safe After 1,000 Hours of Searching, Rescue Says
With no identifying information, APA eventually discovered that Rome was double microchipped, and they were able to track down his original owners, who, the organization said, "were stunned and overjoyed to learn that their long-lost boy had been found alive and safe."
Rome's family then made plans to travel over 1,000 miles from California to Texas and bring their beloved canine companion home.
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"We are a ball of emotion right now,' Rome's family told APA in a statement. 'We are so excited to see him."
"Words cannot describe the emotion of what we felt when he was gone, so to have that void filled today is absolutely incredible," they added.
According to Human Animal Support Services, pets with microchips are three times more likely to return home after they are lost.
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