An Arizona dog is finally reunited with his family after escaping from the family yard and disappearing for 12 long years.
Last month, Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) said one of its field officers picked up an elderly dog who seemed a little shy and sad.
“He never wagged his tail.” the shelter wrote in a Facebook post.
Luckily, the officer found a microchip on the elderly dog and called the number. The shelter discovered the dog’s name was Minion and that he had been missing for 12 years.
“Minion’s owner couldn’t believe it. He said the maintenance man left the back door open in 2011 and they never saw Minion again.” MCACC wrote.
If you think this reunion story couldn’t get any better, then you’re in for a treat!
MCACC Field Agent Allyssa Sanford personally drove the 15-year-old dog back to his family. Before the reunion, the officer explained to the owners that Minion is old now and doesn’t move quickly.
But the moment the officer opened Minion’s kennel, “Minion saw his family and immediately started wagging his tail and was clearly excited to be reunited with his family!”
MCACC continued, “They brought Minion inside and he was running around almost everywhere with his tail wagging around the other dogs – he was finally home.”
Talk to Fox News DigitalSanford said, “After all this time, he still knew.” We walked in and he was running around. He was like a new puppy again.
According to Fox News Digital, Skip and Raleigh Crandall, Minion’s owners, adopted the three-year-old Bichon Frize 12 years ago.
Skip Crandall revealed that one day, when the backyard gate was accidentally left open, Minion and another family dog escaped. “One came back and the other didn’t” » said Skip Crandall.
The Crandalls said they tried to scour shelters, put up missing signs and asked neighbors to help them search for the dog. With no luck, Minion never returned and the family tried to move on.
But when the family heard the news and finally found the senior dog, the family couldn’t hide their happiness.
“He started trotting and immediately went inside and started playing with the other dogs. It was incredible,” » said Skip Crandall.
Sanford shared, “I was shocked. I didn’t even think it was possible, that all this time had passed and the dog was still there.
Skip Crandall thanked Field Agent Sanford and said: “You really went the extra mile for us by bringing Minion straight to our home.“
Additionally, MCACC and Minion’s owner took this opportunity to encourage pet owners to have their pets microchipped.
MCACC said: “This reunion would not have been possible without a microchip!” Make sure your pets are microchipped and keep your contact details up to date. ». And Crandall added: “You definitely want your pet to be microchipped! »
Sadly, just weeks after Minion was reunited with his family, the 15-year-old dog died from anesthesia-related complications while undergoing dental surgery, the Crandall family said. Fox News.
Skip Crandall revealed, “The vet speculated that he potentially had a stroke or heart attack.”
“He was in pain and unconscious so we asked for him to be put down, which the vet agreed. My son and I were with him and said goodbye. He continued.
According to Fox News, the family took the dog home and buried him under a tree in their backyard.