it definitely was a sign

Smokey, an adorable grey Am Staff/Lab Mix ended up at City of San Antonio Animal Care Services with a microchip registered to an owner with a phone that was " not accepting calls or disconnected." Thankfully, they sent it #MicrochipHunters, and I began researching the owner. None of the phone numbers I was trying belonged to the owner, and I sent emails and facebook messages to try to connect that way. I never heard back.

Over the next few days, I contacted a long list of relatives associated with the registered owner, and again was having no luck with calls, texts, emails or facebook messages for the many "relatives" I tried.
Not wanting to give up on this 6 year old sweetheart, I looked at my list once again, and decided to keep trying. Something told me to try Valerie, though I couldn't tell her relation because the last name was different. She answered! When I explained why I was calling, I could tell she was tearing up. Smokey was her mother's dog, and her mother had passed away a few months ago. She told me she answered because it was Sunday evening at 10 PM, so thought it might be important. She was right, and she was so glad she did! Valerie was heartbroken that Smokey wound up at a shelter, but because she lived 6 hours away, said she was going to try a couple relatives to see if they could pick him up. We hung up and I texted Valerie Smokey's info and she replied, "Thank you so much for calling! Mom always talked about him and how protective he was of her. I will get back with you tomorrow to figure out arrangements."
I did hear back from Valerie the next day; she wanted to know if there was any way to get Smokey to her. "I think it really is a sign. I had been thinking of my mom. I was just telling my son how I have been considering getting a dog."

I reached out to Marilyn, the Director of Lost Dogs of Texas and Microchip Hunters, who reached out to local friends. Marilyn is a former San Antonio resident, and on SOS - SATX Save Our Strays on Facebook. The SOS admins helped her find a rescue willing to put a hold on Smokey. Once Jolie of Alamo City Pit Bull Rescue had placed a hold, Marilyn arranged for Yayas' Bow-wow House boarding facility to pick up and board Smokey. This new facility has inexpensive boarding available for nonprofit rescues. Yaya's staff also does transport and just happened to have a trip scheduled to Copperas Cove, about four hours from the owner's home in Frisco Texas. Yaya's transported Smokey for free, having business at that destination! They boarded Smokey until the weekend when Valerie was able to drive the 4 hours to pick him up to go home, and Lost Dogs of Texas covered Smokey's boarding expenses there.

Tonight, Smokey is back with family! Valerie texted me this, "We just got home and settled in. He did so good in the car. He slept most of the way. I took him to mom's grave because I thought that would make her happy. Mom's birthday was Thursday; this is a present for her. I know she is smiling. I can't thank you and Marilyn enough for all you have done. It truly warms my hear. "

It truly warms my heart too. Special thanks to Save our Strays, Alamo City Pit Bull Rescue, Yaya's Bow Wow House boarding facility, Lost Dogs of Texas, and to San Antonio Animal Care Shelter for allowing us at Microchip Help to research this dead-end microchip so that Smokey could get home to family.
Valerie and her family now have a piece of her mother's heart at home with them. Welcome home Smokey.
~Jeanette
Lost Dogs Illinois
Microchip Hunters