Her Dog Vanished Without a Trace in 2018… Until One Phone Call Changed Everything
Back in 2018, a Tampa woman named Gabrielle Hartley faced every dog parent’s worst nightmare. Her beloved Husky, Luca, was stolen right from her home. Yet through all the heartbreak, she never lost hope. (Scroll down to Watch the Video)
Seven years later, fate, or perhaps the magic of a microchip, brought the two back together. After so long apart, Gabrielle and Luca are finally reunited, ready to begin a brand-new chapter filled with love and second chances.
How a Microchip Led Luca Back Home
Luca was recently discovered by a police officer wandering the streets of Tampa all alone. The beautiful Siberian Husky didn’t have a collar, but he did have something even better, a microchip that led straight to his mom, Gabrielle.
The moment they reunited was pure joy. Luca instantly recognized her, wagging his tail and responding to both his name and his old nickname, “Blue,” a nod to his striking blue eyes.
Gabrielle told Tampa Bay 28 News that ever since someone broke into her home and stole Luca years ago, she never stopped believing she’d find him again. She reported him missing and continued paying the annual microchip fee just in case, a small act of faith that one day brought her best friend home.
And that faith was finally rewarded when Gabrielle received the message she’d been waiting for all these years: Luca had been found, thanks to the microchip company, PetKey.
When Love Refuses to Give Up
Unfortunately, Gabrielle’s reunion with Luca wasn’t all sunshine and happy tears. The joy of finding him was quickly met with heartbreak when vets discovered he was in poor shape. “He had a UTI, blood infection, broken teeth probably from trying to escape a cage, broken claws, and defensive marks all over his body,” Gabrielle shared. “He’s only about 38 pounds, and for a full-grown male Husky, that’s far from healthy.”
Gabrielle believes the person who stole Luca years ago likely used him for breeding, then abandoned him once his health began to decline. It’s a painful thought, but she’s focused on giving him the love and care he deserves.
The medical bills were overwhelming, but Gabrielle refused to give up on her boy now that he was finally home. A close friend started a GoFundMe to help cover Luca’s treatments, and the support has been heartwarming.
According to his vet, it’ll take around three months for Luca to fully recover and regain a healthy weight. But what matters most to Gabrielle is seeing him feel safe again — curling up beside her at night, gazing at her with those same blue eyes filled with love and gratitude.
Why Microchipping Your Pet Can Save Their Life
Luca’s story is a powerful reminder of just how life-changing a simple microchip can be. While collars and tags can fall off or be removed, a microchip stays with your pet for life. It’s a tiny piece of technology that can bring them home even years later. In moments of loss, when hope starts to fade, that tiny chip can be the bridge between heartbreak and reunion.
Microchipping protects pets from being mistaken as strays or ending up in shelters. When registered and kept up to date, it provides rescuers and veterinarians with an instant link to the pet’s rightful owner.
It’s a small, affordable step that carries immense peace of mind, one that can turn a devastating separation into a miracle of love and return. So, if you haven’t microchipped your pet yet, it’s high time that you do so.
