Dog missing since 2007 firestorm reunited with family

[ningenvoo1]

SAN DIEGO — Buddy, a beloved black lab that disappeared during the 2007 wildfires, has finally found his way back to his family after six and half years.  The Hartman family, who lost their home during the fires, had evacuated to El Cajon when Buddy went missing.

“We put Buddy in the backyard and buddy decided to escape, and somebody driving by opened their door and he got in their car,†said John Hartman via Skype from the family’s new home in Oklahoma. “Buddy would do that to anybody.â€

For years the family heard nothing.  A week ago, they were on the way to San Diego to visit their son when they got a call from the San Diego County Department of Animal Services.  A micro chipped dog had been found in Golden Hill.

“I was pretty shocked,†said Hartman when he realized it was his pet. “When we finally got to see him he looked the same. Somebody really took care of him.â€

Hartman said Buddy came to him as soon as he called his name.

“It would be interesting to see his odyssey that six and a half years but I guess we’ll never know,†he said.

Hartman said the people that took care of him all this time are probably wondering where he is now.  He said Buddy has adjusted well to his new life in Oklahoma and the family’s other two dogs.

 

“He’s a little slower. I don’t think he’s as inclined to run away now; he’s ten years old,†said Hartman. “I guess the lesson is if people have a dog and they put a chip in them eventually they’ll find their way back.â€

 

On April 23, the U.S. will celebrate its first annual National Lost Dog Awareness Day (NLDAD)

Created by Susan Taney and Kathy Pobloskie – directors of Lost Dogs Illinois and Lost Dogs of Wisconsin, respectively – the canine-centric holiday aims to bring attention to all dogs that are lost each year,

       NLDAD also celebrates the thousands of lost dogs successfully reunited with their families.

 

 

“When a dog goes missing, many families give up looking for their lost pet. National Lost Dog Awareness Day was created to give hope to the families still looking for their dogs and remind the public that not all stray dogs are homeless†explains Taney. “One of our most recent success stories was finding a beagle named Charlie. He was missing for almost two months in the most brutal winter ever. We never gave up, and neither did Charlie’s foster family. Together, and with the help of our social media following, Charlie was trapped and he was successfully reunited with his foster family. Never doubt a dog’s ability to survive.â€


 

[Teru]

aww, that's sweet

[Gabriel Celeste]

we lost a dog too but we didnt found her nor she return home 

[Hoplz]

we lost a dog too but we didnt found her nor she return home

same here but neighbors spotted her around our old house hpefully they r wrong and she is with a good family

[ningenvoo1]

we lost a dog too but we didnt found her nor she return home 

i lost my cat,he wasn't that old, i actually hope he was taken by someone than thet something bad happened

I hope your dog returns to you,don't lose hope

[Gabriel Celeste]

i lost my cat,he wasn't that old, i actually hope he was taken by someone than thet something bad happened

I hope your dog returns to you,don't lose hope

 

that was a very long time ago, i were in grade school, she followed us when we went on a field trip, i guess she didnt remember the way back.

 

cats have good sense of direction than dogs so i think your cat will return to you 

[ningenvoo1]

that was a very long time ago, i were in grade school, she followed us when we went on a field trip, i guess she didnt remember the way back.

 

cats have good sense of direction than dogs so i think your cat will return to you 

it's been 7 years

[Gabriel Celeste]

it's been 7 years

 

lol goodbye to our pets

[sinnfb]

Aw, it feels so good to hear this type of news during such a heartbreaking time. Thanks for posting this!

[mirrorpurple ���ムラサキ]

so heartwarming...

imma hug my rabbit for awhile

[Chitoge Kirisaki]

lol. So happy. Much fun.

lol at myself.

I'm honestly happy for them tho