While others look forward to the Fourth of July and other celebrations where fireworks are included, those working daily to reunite lost pets prepare for what they sadly know will result … an uptick of lost pets!
This story comes from the San Antonio area of Texas, and it’s about how one family’s holiday celebration resulted in 10 plus months of loss and torment.
Lauren and her family’s 2016 Fourth of July plans included going on vacation and leaving their beloved dog Jaws with her brother. Their 103 lb. yellow lab (which was white in color) was Lauren’s “baby”. She had him all of his ten years, and his friendly and loving demeanor made him an endearing and integral part of her family.
While he was a big love, Jaws was not street smart … he never had to be!
Unfortunately that changed on the evening of the Fourth as the sound of local fireworks prompted Jaws to run off from the yard of Lauren’s brother, who was dog sitting him for the weekend. .
A frantic search for Jaws ensued, and the next day Lauren and her family returned home and continued to expand the search efforts for Jaws.
Free Lost Pet flyer on Lost Dogs of Texas and HeLPingLostPets.com
Jaws did not have his collar and tag on when we darted off, but amid the distraught state that Lauren was left with Jaws missing, she always believed that somehow his microchip would lead him back home.
Months past, and friends began to ask her when she might consider getting another dog. Lauren’s response was always “five years”. Why? Because she figured that in five years Jaw would be 15 which was a beyond the years she might expect/hope for him to live.
Last week, as the Memorial Day weekend approached, Lauren answered a call that she might have easily dismissed as another unsolicited call disturbance.
The woman on the other end of the phone asked her “are you missing a dog?”. Lauren couldn’t believe her ears, yet given repeated potential sightings of Jaws through the months that resulted in disappointment, she continued the call with caution and doubt.
She replied that yes, she was missing a dog. The woman was calling from Assure Vet Animal Hospital (AVAH) and provided his microchip number, indicating he had brought int to be scanned for microchip which WAS detected. They had received her contact info from Home Again where his chip was registered.
Turns out that a couple had found him just a few weeks prior as a stray. They took him in and cared for him and were considering if they should provide him a safe and loving home. However, they did the right thing and decided to take him in to see if he had a microchip! The discovery of the chip, and success in the company being able to contact his owner was bittersweet for the couple. But they knew that the family AND the dog deserved to be reunited!
After receiving the call, Lauren instantly drove to AVAH, located just 20 minutes away, to be reunited!
Jaws instantly recognized her and was clearly happy to see her! The woman who brought him in to the vet had stayed for the reunion, and relayed how much they had come to love the dog they found, but knew they had to be sure he didn’t have an owner who might be looking for him.
Other than having lost some weight, Jaws appeared to be healthy and without any injuries. In fact, while he was always prone to ear infections, his exam showed no signs of infection! Lauren took him into her own vet shortly after bringing him home, and Jaws weighed in at 94 lbs. down 9 lbs. from when he went missing. Otherwise a clean bill of health!
As elated Lauren and her family were to have Jaws back home, she felt badly that in just a few days the family was scheduled to go off on another holiday vacation! Knowing he’d be monitored and loved, Jaws spent the weekend with her dad and his dogs!
As we write, Lauren and family are preparing to return back home, this time knowing their home will be complete with Jaws back home at last … back where he belongs.
Thanks to Lauren for sharing these pics of Jaws and his family now REUNITED! And thanks to our friends at Lost Dogs of Texas for sharing this happy ending story with us!
Welcome home Jaws!
Story take-aways:
- Always keep a pet’s collar and tag on them, as it is your first opportunity to prompt a finder to call and reunite.
- Make sure your pet has a microchip and that it is registered and with updated contact info.
- Take precautions to protect your pet from running off due to fireworks or other triggers like lightening or other loud noises.
- If you find a pet, always take them in quickly to check for a microchip if no collar and tag are on them. Also “do your due diligence” to post flyers and report a found pet on lost/found pet sites to make an effort to find the owner.
- Read Lost Dogs of America’s info/tips related to fireworks by clicking here!
and keep your contact info updated!
Even if your pet has gone missing and it’s been some time,
you might one day get that miracle call!
To visit the home page for our
Monday Microchip Miracles blog
click here to read other happy reunion tales!
#LoveTagChip YOUR pet.