Happy Tears After Dog Swept Away in a Storm Turns Up 2,000 Miles From Home
Three months ago, a resident of California, Ciara Babcock, was left devastated when her dog, Opie, went missing during a storm. She posted about her missing pet on Facebook, even offering a $500 reward to whoever finds him. (Scroll Down to Watch Video)
Even though it didn’t lead anywhere, Ciara never lost hope. And three months later, her hopes came to fruition when a shelter in Illinois posted about a stray Corgi-Shepherd mix with a microchip tracing him 2,000 miles away to California. What followed was a heartfelt reunion between a woman and her beloved furry friend.
A Three-Month Search Finally Ends
DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) in Illinois shared on Facebook on October 1 that they had found a stray dog with a microchip, unaware that this little pup had a family all the way in California, and a mom who had been searching for him tirelessly for three months.
After a phone call, Ciara hopped on a flight the very next day to bring her beloved Opie home. The Illinois shelter shared an adorable photo of their reunion on Facebook, one that’s guaranteed to melt the heart of anyone who cherishes their pets as much as Ciara does.
As the shelter wrote, “One phone call later, and the very next day (plus a flight), Opie was back where he belonged—home with his owner.”
Microchips Work—and Opie’s Story Proves It
The DCAS highlighted just how crucial Opie’s microchip was in making this incredible reunion happen. They shared that because Opie was chipped, Ciara never lost faith in receiving that one life-changing call.
While no one knows exactly how the little Corgi-Shepherd mix managed to travel nearly across the country, one thing is certain: microchips truly work. As the DCAS beautifully put it, they make reunions like this possible, no matter how far our four-legged friends may roam.
The shelter even shared an update in the comments, showing Opie back home and happily playing in his backyard.
With over 7,000 likes and hundreds of heartfelt comments, Opie’s reunion has clearly struck a chord with animal lovers everywhere. Sarahi Dominguez playfully wrote, “Cross country-ing dog,” while Jamie M. Perry couldn’t contain her joy, commenting, “Opie looks so happy to be back with Mom!!!”
Rocky Kanaka, a pet rescue advocate and YouTuber, also shared his thoughts on this, stating, “No matter the miles, no matter the obstacles, every microchip, every effort, and every ounce of hope can bring a lost pet back to the family that loves them. Opie’s journey is a beautiful reminder that love and persistence truly know no distance.”
