In a heartwarming turn of events, an Arizona man has been reunited with his beloved dog after an incredible eight-year separation. Paul Guilbeault's miniature pinscher, Damian, went missing in 2017 during a cross-country move from Massachusetts to Arizona.
The separation occurred during a pit stop near Oklahoma City when Damian slipped out of his leash and ran away. Despite an exhaustive week-long search in the area, including late-night attempts that were cut short by a mountain lion encounter, Guilbeault and his family were unable to locate their cherished pet.
"I kept trying to search, but the search dwindled as the years went on," Guilbeault told ABC News. He continued posting missing dog notices and sharing Damian's photos on social media, though the emotional toll made it increasingly difficult.
The unexpected reunion occurred on January 15, when Guilbeault received a text message on his Apple Watch while driving to California. A woman named Donna Bentley had rescued Damian from traffic in Oklahoma City. After nearly hitting the dog with her car, she brought him to her brother, Rick Chambers, who then took him to a veterinarian.
The vet's scan of Damian's microchip revealed Guilbeault's contact information. Upon receiving the news, Guilbeault and his husband immediately altered their travel plans, driving 14 hours to Oklahoma City to retrieve their long-lost companion.
Despite being visibly older and somewhat scruffier, the now 13-year-old Damian recognized his owner immediately. "When we go there, he gets such a smile on his face. Like, 'I know where we're at. I finally made it home,'" Guilbeault shared.
The pair have been inseparable since their reunion, with Damian spending his days either at the park or contentedly sitting in his owner's lap. While the mystery of where Damian spent the past eight years remains unsolved, he was found to be in generally good health, though slightly underweight with overgrown nails.
Guilbeault now advocates strongly for pet microchipping, crediting this technology for making the reunion possible. "Microchip your pets!" he urged, emphasizing that the simple procedure can help reunite lost animals with their families, even after years apart.