It can take minutes, hours, and in many cases days of research to find a family...

This 16 year old Pekingnese was found in Naperville. The finder took him to be scanned for a microchip to the Naperville Police Department. He had a microchip that was registered with two names and numbers. The first told me that she and her boyfriend David owned Raffi together, and that her boyfriend took him when they broke up. She had no information for David as this was 15 years ago, and they didn't keep in touch or have any mutual friends at this time. She did, however, give me the first name of his mother. The second name and number on the microchip was for David and was disconnected.

I spent a couple hours looking on the internet for this very common name in the town of Milwaukee. I was finally able to find one that had a relative with the same first name that was given to me for the mother. David's new address and phone number was in Florida.

When I couldn't get through, I found another name at the address in Florida and called and texted. She passed along the information to David along with the photo I sent. Thankfully I had sent a photo because the name on the dog on the microchip did not match the name they gave him after adopting him. David said he couldn't believe Raffi was still alive!

After letting me know that he had given Raffi to a co-worker soon after he and his girlfriend broke up 15 years ago, he told me that he only knew her first name was Cecy. He could not remember her last name, but told me he would try and come up with it. We hung up and I patiently waited.

Meanwhile, I checked with the apartment complexes near where Raffi was found. They said they knew of this found dog already but would put a flyer up on the bulletin as well. they hadn't heard from anyone looking for him.

The next evening, I texted David back. He was trying to come up with names of bosses they shared that could help with information for Cecy, but still had no luck. He told me to check back tomorrow.

David was able to find the link-ed in for one of their bosses and said she for sure would know Cecy's last name! After messaging her on linked in, I went back to work researching the internet. It wasn't easy finding the correct Lisa in Wisconsin. She worked for a large company and it was a Friday evening at this point. I called her employment Saturday and spoke to someone that told me I would have to call back Monday.

When I called Monday, they transferred me to Lisa and I left a detailed voicemail. She called me back and said she had no idea who Cecy was. She did tell me there are 3 people at the company with the same first and last name. UGH!!! We talked for a while, and she was so compassionate. I described Lisa from the Link-ed in photo, and she figured out who she was, but told me she wouldn't be in until Tuesday. She promised she would leave a message explaining everything, with my name and number.

I received a call on Tuesday morning. I saw the voicemail, and when I read that name of the caller was Cecy, my heart sank. I read the voicemail, and it explained how they had a dog Raffi that went missing 6 years ago. She was asking for a photo. I texted the photo, and called Cecy, who was crying when she answered the phone. She couldn't believe it - Raffi was her mom's dog that went missing from Chicago.

Cecy is out of town until the 31st, and her mom has since moved to Puerto Rico, but her mom wants Raffi and misses him so much. Cecy got all the paperwork sent over to the Naperville Police department, and her husband was able to go to pick him up on Thursday!

Cecy is not home yet, but is told by her husband and son that he is doing well. Raffi will be seeing a vet when she gets home. If the vet gives the ok for Raffi to fly, he will be going to Puerto Rico to be with mom. If he isn't able to fly, he will stay with Cecy and her other 2 dogs (one who is also 16).

Raffi's family is so happy to see him and to know he is still doing well.

Sometimes these hours and days of searching pay off for microchip hunters. It is the endings like this that make it all worthwhile.

Found 3/9/2022 Reunited 3/24/2022 Welcome home Raffi.


"Thank you so much for all your help God bless you"

Jeanette
Lost Dogs Illinois
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