sometimes we just need someone on our side

Oreo was found in someone's yard near a forest preserve in Indiana, in extremely poor condition—her fur was matted with burrs, a stick lodged in her throat, and she was very hungry.

She was taken to a facility where they provided her with wonderful care. She had a microchip, but the facility wasn't receiving any response to the messages they left at the number registered.

The microchip information was forwarded to Microchip Hunters, who managed to find a phone number for the wife of the gentleman registered on the chip. When Candis received this call, she burst into tears. When they moved to Kentucky in 2021, they had to rehome their two little dogs, whom they treated "like their son and daughter." She shared that the dogs were rehomed through extended family and that they had always asked to be contacted if the family could no longer keep them. Candis explained they now had a home where they could have Oreo and asked how soon they could come to pick her up!

It was Friday evening by then, so they had to wait the weekend to reach the facility. Unfortunately, when they called, they were told that they might not get Oreo back due to her condition and the circumstances in which she was found. Candis’s husband reached out to me, explaining that his phone was broken, didn't show missed calls, and unable to receive voicemails, which is why they missed the facility's calls. He was heartbroken and said his wife was too upset to speak. He shared that Oreo and her brother were anniversary gifts 7 years ago and that they had even trained Oreo as a service dog. They were devastated when they had to rehome them but thought they were in safe hands. They now wondered where the other dog might be. The family they rehomed them to didn't let them know anything, but they gave me their number.

I contacted the family who the dogs were rehomed to and learned that they had surrendered the brother to a humane society shortly after taking them in three years ago, and rehomed Oreo last year. I also contacted the Humane Society and was told that the brother was fostered and adopted by a wonderful family.

I told the couple that I would contact the facility to explain the situation: why they missed the calls, why they had to rehome the dogs, and how much they still loved and missed them. I emphasized that they had no idea Oreo had fallen into this state and that they were ready to drive from Kentucky immediately to bring her home.

A day and a half later, I got a text from Candis asking to talk. My stomach dropped—I feared it was bad news. To my relief, she called me through happy tears, thanking me for everything. She said, "You were the only one that listened to us and offered help, bless you." It made my day.

Thank you to the finder, the facility that cared for Oreo, Jane, who reached out to Microchip Hunters, and everyone who helped bring Oreo back to her family.

Lost Dogs Illinois
Microchip Hunters
www.microchiphelp.com ​