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Kids Get A Tear-Jerking Surprise While Volunteering At Animal Shelter

Written by: Molly Weinfurter
Molly Weinfurter is a writer for iHeartDogs, and she’s passionate about helping animals in need. She volunteers for Bailing Out Benji and a local dog rescue.Read more
| Published on March 29, 2023

The longer a dog is missing, the harder it is to hold onto hope that they’ll come back. That’s how a family in California felt when they went two years without their dog named Macho. The pup ran away when they were moving from Sacramento to Marysville. Despite being a short journey, all the commotion spooked Macho, causing him to disappear.

With two years of no sightings, the Navarro family thought their beloved dog was gone forever. He was a best friend to the family’s five kids, so they wanted him back more than anything.

Lost dog at home
YouTube

Missing Dog Reappears

Luckily, Macho had a microchip with the family’s current information. So, when Bradshaw Animal Shelter picked up Macho, they scanned his microchip to see if he had an owner. Sure enough, Harmony Navarro’s information popped up.

“He took off running down the street when we were on our way moving from Sacramento to Marysville. And I think the move kind of startled him and he just took off running,” Harmony said.

Kids with lost dog
YouTube

When the shelter contacted Harmony, she couldn’t believe it. She considered telling her kids right away, but then she thought of a better idea. She planned to surprise them by setting up the most heartwarming reunion ever.

So, Harmony told the kids that they were going to sign up to volunteer at the animal shelter that day. None of them thought anything of it at first, but then, a familiar canine walked in.

Boy with lost dog
YouTube

The Most Magical Reunion

Someone recorded the moment the kids realized why they were really at the animal shelter. Macho entered the room they were in, causing all of their hearts to melt. They recognized him without a doubt, and he knew exactly who they were. It was as if no time had passed!

The older daughters sobbed as they called Macho’s name excitedly. They never thought they would see their dog again, so their mom’s plan really took them by surprise.

RELATED: Missing Pit Bull Travels 1,500 Miles In Only A Few Weeks

“We would have never found him if it wasn’t for the microchip,” said one of the daughters. “He was like my best friend, and when he ran away, I just kinda broke down and fell apart.”

Luckily, the nightmare of Macho disappearing for good is now over. The family is grateful for this miracle, and it’s a good reminder to never give up hope when a dog goes missing. If you haven’t already, make sure your dog’s microchip is up to date so they can get home faster if they ever get lost.

Watch Macho Reunite with His Family Here:

Featured Image: YouTube

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