In 2016, Michael Joy experienced every pet owner’s worst nightmare when his three beloved dogs went missing. Despite the return of two of his dogs, Sam, a 4-month-old Lab mix, remained elusive. Michael tirelessly searched through every local shelter, hoping to find a clue or a sighting of Sam. “I made a promise to my wife that I would find this dog,” Michael recalled. He diligently monitored the shelters’ websites, refusing to give up hope that Sam would reappear. His determination never wavered as he continued the search, clinging to the possibility of reuniting with his beloved companion.
Even after Michael and his family moved to Kentucky, he refused to give up hope that Sam was alive and well. He often made trips back to their former home in Georgia, holding onto the belief that Sam might still be there waiting for him. Despite nearly five years passing without any sign of Sam, Michael remained steadfast in his search.
Then, one unexpected day, Michael received a life-changing call from City Dogs Cleveland. “She said, ‘We have Sam,'” Michael recounted, disbelief and joy intertwining in his voice. “I couldn’t believe it was the same Sam!” he exclaimed. The news was surreal—Sam had been found in Ohio, a considerable distance from their old home in Georgia, nearing the route to Michigan. This miraculous reunion marked the end of a long and emotional journey, reuniting Michael with his beloved Sam after years of unwavering determination and hope.
You could practically see the excitement lighting up my face as we waited for them to bring Sam out. “I felt like a kid on Christmas morning,” Michael exclaimed with a grin. Sam mirrored his owner’s joy, bouncing around Michael and wagging his tail incessantly.
Get your tissues ready for this heartwarming tale. Sam was brought to the shelter by police officers who found him. Once at the kennel, staff scanned him and, to their surprise, discovered a microchip. With the contact information from the chip, they called the listed number, reaching Michael. It was revealed that Sam had been missing from Georgia for an astounding four years! Upon hearing the news, Michael wasted no time; he immediately embarked on an emotional eight-hour journey to reclaim his beloved companion. The reunion that followed was nothing short of tear-jerking, a testament to the enduring bond between man and dog.
— Cleveland’s City Dogs April 15, 2021 (@CityDogsCLE)
Michael, overwhelmed with joy and relief at Sam’s return, made a solemn vow that he would never let Sam out of his sight again. After enduring four long years of separation and uncertainty, Michael cherished every moment with Sam, determined to provide him with a life filled with love, care, and security. Their reunion marked not only the end of a challenging journey but also the beginning of a new chapter, where Michael and Sam would cherish each other’s company and create new memories together.
