A Yorkshire terrier who was stolen from his owner’s garden has finally made it home – 13 years later.
Owner Karen Fox, 61, a veterinarian from Donelson, Tennessee, was devastated when, in 2008, a man in a red pick-up truck grabbed pet pooch Connor, now 16, from their front yard in broad daylight, in front of her teenage son.
The duo jumped in their car and chased after the dognapper, but didn’t manage to catch up with him.
They searched for Connor for weeks, driving round their neighbourhood, but there was no sign, reports the Tennessean.
Owner Karen Fox, 61, a veterinarian from Donelson, Tennessee, was devastated when, in 2008, a man in a red pick-up truck grabbed pet pooch Connor, now 16, from their front yard in broad daylight, in front of her teenage son (pictured together after being reunited 13 years later)
Earlier this month, Karen was stunned when she received a voicemail from the company behind the microchip she’d put in Connor 15 years previously. She also received a call from Metro Nashville Animal Control, telling her they had her long-lost pet, over a decade after he went missing.
Karen told the publication: ‘It was pure, utter amazement! I’m still amazed!’
The family had taken on rescue dog Connor two years earlier, having adopted him from one of Karen’s clients, and he was a big hit with Karen’s husband Tim, who used to brush him when he got home from work.
Tragically Tim died four years ago, having never known what happened to his beloved Yorkie.
When Karen got the call on March 4, she went to pick up Connor the following day, and told how the elderly pooch walked onto her lap and licked her face.
Connor was brought into the animal centre by a concerned woman, who’d seen him wandering around the streets of her Bordeaux neighborhood
She admitted she wept as she recalled Connor sitting in her late husband’s lap, with him combing his fur.
‘The most emotional thing for me is how much my husband would’ve loved for him to have come back home,’ she told the publication.
Connor was brought into the animal centre by a concerned woman, who’d seen him wandering around the streets of her Bordeaux neighborhood.
She’d taken him home and kept hold of him for a week, putting ‘found’ posters online and around her local area. Eventually when no one came forward, she brought him into the animal control center, and when he was scanned, his microchip flashed up with Karen’s name.
Karen told how Connor does appear to remember his old home after all these years, and tends to follow her around the house.
The sweet reunion story was shared to Facebook by Karen’s veterinary practice, Apache Trail Animal Hospital. It wrote: ‘After 13 years of waiting, Dr. Fox’s sweet boy has finally found his way home!’
Many followers commented on the happy ‘tail’, expressing their delight that Karen finally had her beloved ‘baby’ back
She is now nursing him back to health, after he was found with a sore leg, damaged teeth and infected eyes.
The sweet reunion story was shared to Facebook by Karen’s veterinary practice, Apache Trail Animal Hospital. It wrote: ‘After 13 years of waiting, Dr. Fox’s sweet boy has finally found his way home!’
They added: ‘Here is a sign to microchip your pet if you were unsure or if you have been holding off on doing it. And don’t forget to register it!
‘Also, if you move or change phone numbers, remember to update your information with the microchip company! Welcome Home Connor!! We cannot thank you enough Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control!!’
Many followers commented on the happy ‘tail’, expressing their delight that Karen finally had her beloved ‘baby’ back.