Ruth and her daughters will always remember the day their beloved dog, Dante, vanished. During a walk, Dante slipped his leash and chased after other dogs, disappearing from sight and leaving their hearts shattered. He was not just a pet but a cherished family member, and his loss was unbearable.
Trying To Move on
The family had adopted Dante during a challenging time in 2017 when Ruth’s eldest daughter was diagnosed with lymphoma. The puppy brought immense joy and support to the family until that fateful day on July 26th, 2022, when Dante went missing. Their lives felt empty without him.
Despite their efforts, they couldn’t find him, and the heartbreak led them to move to another town in Virginia, 20 miles away. The hope of finding Dante never left their minds, but they knew they had to try to move forward.
Dante Ends Up In A Shelter
In August 2022, a kind soul found a sweet dog in Burke, Virginia, and brought him to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. The shelter staff quickly fell in love with the adorable pup, but he had no collar or microchip, and no lost dog reports matched him.
Named “Soldier” by the staff, the dog met several potential adopters but seemed uninterested. He was waiting for his true family, a fact the shelter staff would later understand.
An Emotional Reunion With Dante
In October 2022, Ruth, her daughters, and her grandson visited the shelter to adopt a dog. Browsing through the kennels, they felt no connection until a familiar face caught Kayla’s eye. She recognized Dante in a photograph and insisted it was him despite the name “Soldier.”
Ruth asked the staff to see the dog, and the moment Dante saw his family, he wiggled with happiness. The reunion was filled with tears and joy as Dante’s family embraced him. He had never stopped believing they would find him.
The Importance of Microchipping
Ruth shared pictures of Dante as a puppy with the shelter staff and thanked them for their care. The next day, Dante went home, ending their ordeal and filling their hearts with joy. The beautiful pup was ecstatic to be back with his family.
This heartwarming story underscores the importance of microchipping pets. If Dante had a microchip, he would have been reunited with his family much sooner, sparing them months of worry and sadness.
milo
Such a beautiful reunion! Remember to microchip your pets, folks. It makes all the difference.
Katherine
Ugh, why did they move 20 miles away? That seems like giving up too soon.
TristanNebulae
Wow, that’s such a touching story. I’m crying at work now! 😢 Thank you for sharing.
Cora7
Why wasn’t Dante microchipped from the start? It’s such an essential step for pet safety!
Mackenzie
What an emotional rollercoaster! So glad Dante found his way back to his family. 🐾❤️