Two years after a Wisconsin man was separated from his dog, an Illinois animal shelter has helped reunite the two.
Known only by Jose of Columbus, Wisconsin, was going through some hard times. He was going through a divorce, had lost his house and was living out of his car when he found a puppy he would name Chaos.
Chaos grew, and eventually became so big, Jose could no longer provide the care for his furry friend he felt he needed. Jose chose to temporarily give Chaos to a friend of a friend while he got himself back on his feet.
Three months went by, and Jose finally felt like he was in a place where he could provide Chaos with the type of home the dog deserved. However, the friend refused to give Chaos back.
Then last week, chance would lend itself to a Winnebago county worker, who happened upon a dog she found in her driveway. An animal services officer came out to the woman’s home, and the dog was brought back to the shelter.
The dog was wearing a collar with a 2014 National Identification Number.
On April 28, Jose was going through emails, including a reminder to update Chaos’ microchip information, when the phone rang.
It was staff from Winnebago County Animal Services (WCAS). Using information they received from 2014 identification number found on the dog’s collar found in the woman’s driveway, staff found a phone number belonging to Jose.
WCAS staff had found Jose. What’s more, they had found Chaos.
Jose spoke with staff for a few minutes, verifying some background information, staff wrote on their Facebook page.
Jose left his Wisconsin home and took the hour-and-a-half drive to the shelter to find his wayward friend.
The reunion was about as sweet as one could imagine.
“We recorded the reunion of Jose and Chaos and it is a total tear jerker,” staff wrote in a Facebook post.
Jose told staff his drive home with Chaos was “eventful and heartfelt.”
“Once Chaos finally settled down in the car after trying to get into Jose’s lap while driving, Chaos just put his head on Jose’s shoulder the entire hour and a half ride home,” staff wrote.
Jose’s advice to any animal owners out there?
“Pay the microchip fee! That fee versus never seeing your dog again is totally worth it!”
