When staff at Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) discovered a bulldog and a Chihuahua tied to the shelter’s front gate, they thought it was just another heartbreaking case of abandonment. The dogs were left with coats on, a blanket, and a couple of toys — a sad but all-too-common sight.

But one simple scan of the bulldog’s microchip revealed a story no one expected.

A Dog With a Hidden Past

The bulldog wasn’t just another stray. His name was Rome, and he had actually been missing for four years. Incredibly, he was registered with two microchips, which allowed the shelter to trace his original family.

When APA! contacted them, Rome’s family was stunned. They had lost him back in January 2021, when he was just a puppy living in California.

On that day, strong winds blew open their backyard gate. By the time they realized what had happened, Rome had disappeared. His family searched tirelessly — knocking on doors, putting up flyers, and spreading word throughout their neighborhood. Weeks turned into months, and months into years, until hope faded.

Then, out of nowhere, they got the phone call that changed everything: Rome had been found — alive and well — thousands of miles away in Texas.

A Road Trip for a Reunion

Overjoyed, Rome’s family immediately made plans to drive to Texas. But along with their excitement came a bit of nervousness. Rome had been gone for so long. Would he even remember them?

Their fears vanished the moment Rome stepped out to meet them.

His entire body wiggled with joy as he walked straight up to his dad for pets, leaning in as if no time had passed. His mom burst into tears, amazed at how much bigger he was compared to the puppy they remembered.

It was a reunion filled with tears, laughter, and pure relief. Rome hadn’t forgotten them. The bond was still as strong as ever.

“A Ball of Emotion”

Rome’s family expressed their gratitude to the shelter in a heartfelt statement:

“We are a ball of emotion right now. We are so excited to see him. Words cannot describe the emotion of what we felt when he was gone, so to have that void filled today is absolutely incredible.”

For the APA! staff, it was one of those rare, joyous endings in a field often filled with heartbreak. And for Rome’s family, it was the closing of a painful chapter and the start of a brand-new one.

Why Microchips Matter

Rome’s story is a powerful reminder of why microchipping pets is so important. Without it, his family may never have known what happened to him.

• Microchips give shelters and veterinarians a permanent way to identify pets.
• Even after years, they can reunite lost animals with their families.
• Double microchipping, as in Rome’s case, adds an extra safeguard.

Thanks to that tiny piece of technology — and the compassion of shelter staff — Rome is finally back where he belongs: safe, loved, and home.

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