Cover image via Hendricks County Animal Shelter (Facebook)Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
Losing a beloved pet can be heartbreaking, but one US family recently experienced a miracle after being reunited with their missing dog five years later
Inmaculada Jackman was devastated in 2021 when her dog, Chong, slipped out of their home in Lincoln, Nebraska, and disappeared
Despite months of searching the neighbourhood, the family was eventually forced to move on.
Although they later welcomed another dog named Che Che into their family, they never completely gave up hope that Chong would one day return
"I still looked for him," Jackman told local media outlet WKRC.
"We still went to our old neighbourhood and drove around, looking to see if anyone was walking him or if he was running around somewhere."
Five years later, that hope finally paid off when a friend sent Jackman a social media post revealing that Chong had been found behind a truck stop in Indiana
The location was approximately 1,033km away from the family's home in Nebraska. Jackman immediately contacted the Hendricks County Animal Shelter to reclaim Chong but ran into an unexpected hurdle.
During the years Chong was missing, someone else had registered a new microchip under their name. Shelter staff explained they had to notify the registered contact and wait for a three-day grace period before releasing the dog.
"They told me that they were all hoping and praying that the other people did not contact them," Jackman recalled.
Fortunately, no one came forward within the three-day period, allowing Jackman to travel across state lines and finally bring Chong home.
Heartwarming footage shared by the shelter captured Chong appearing confused during the first few moments of the reunion after five years apart
Moments later, however, the dog recognised Jackman, wagging his tail, barking excitedly, and cuddling up to his owner before meeting his new furry brother, Che Che.
"Never lose hope," she said. "It's been five years, and we found him."
