All stories of humans reuniting with their lost pets are emotional. But this particular story is rather extraordinary.
In October 2019, Katheryn Strang from Florida received a phone call that will leave her in disbelief: Someone found her long-lost dog under a shed in Pittsburgh, roughly over 1000 miles from where she lives.
The dog, a two-year-old toy Fox Terrier named Dutchess, went missing for 12 years – almost equivalent to a dog’s average lifespan!
Dutchess escaped one afternoon in February 2007. Strang’s son opened the door before going to school while Strang was at work.
Strang searched far and wide, put up missing dog posters, and called every animal shelter, hoping that somebody rescued her, but the search was fruitless. Her beloved pet’s disappearance left her distraught.
The grieving dog-owner didn’t hear anything from her during those twelve years, but she didn’t lose hope. She even made sure to update Dutchess’ annual microchip fee. Later, in a press conference, she said that we never give up on our lost pets as owners.
Little did she know that her diligence and undying hope will pay off. After rescuers found Dutchess under the shed, she was hungry. She had overgrown nails and was dirty and anxious. The rescuer brought her to Humane Animal Rescue.
Torin Fisher, a shelter staff, said that the first thing they checked was her microchip. She initially assumed that Dutchess’ owners lived in the area. So when she learned that Strang and Dutchess were actually from Florida, Fisher was in disbelief.
That phone call between Strang and Fisher revealed how surreal and unbelievable the circumstances were. How did Dutchess end up in Pittsburgh? Where was she those twelve years? Will Strang be able to find her if she decided not to update her microchip? Most probably not.
Two days later, Strang took an 18-hour drive to Pittsburgh to reunite with Dutchess. Humane Animal Rescue captured the emotional reunion, and it was evident how Strang went emotional and elated seeing her dearest pet.
Twelve long years of separation is painful for any dog owner – twelve years supposedly spent on adventures, daily walks, movies on the couch, park days, or car rides together. Instead, they spent those twelve years apart.
It’s easy to feel regret for all the lost time. But for Ms. Strang, all that mattered is that she never gave up and that Dutchess is back, even at age 14!
Watch their emotional reunion here:
Source: CBS Pittsburgh via YouTube
