When Wisconsin native Jose of got word that the Winnebago County Animal Services of Illinois had found his long-lost dog, he was elated.
“I was speechless and I couldn’t stop smiling. I just couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t get to the shelter fast enough,” he said in a story by ABC.
Jose’s dog was stolen from him 2 years ago, by a friend of a friend who was dog-sitting for him.
The pup held a special place in Jose’s heart. His life had hit an all-time low when he adopted a puppy and named him Chaos. Although Jose had gone through a divorce and was homeless and living out of his car, this happy puppy brightened up his darkest days.
“Chaos helped me through so much in my life, I took him everywhere with me!” he told the shelter, according to ABC.
The reason Jose needed someone to watch the puppy was because he was trying to find a decent place for the two of them to live. But when he went to pick the pup back up, the “friend of a friend” refused to give him back. He didn’t see Chaos again for the next two years.
Then, at the end of April, Jose got the life-changing call that his dog had been found–thanks to his microchip. Despite his excitement, Jose was apprehensive that Chaos might not remember his rightful owner after all this time
If there was ever any doubt, this video posted by the Winnebago County Animal Services speaks for itself:
Jose’s story is proof of how a microchip can mean the difference between losing a pet forever, or reuniting once more. In the ABC story, Jose advises, “pay the microchip fee!” We couldn’t agree more!
(h/t: ABC News)
