Hound Dog Returned to Family After 6 Years in Heartwarming Reunion

A dog named Lucy Marie went missing six years ago in Lorain, Ohio and last week she was found and brought into the Lorain County Dog Kennel in Elyria. When workers checked Lucy for a microchip they were shocked to discover it was registered to a family. In Florida.

The kennel contacted the family who were elated to hear the news.

The Ohio SPCA posted on Facebook, " This dog came in - and was microchipped. The chip was registered - to someone in FLORIDA. Fully expecting to call and be told they re-homed the dog long ago - or the # would be disconnected, Clerk Jenna was surprised to hear the dog was lost or stolen 6 YEARS AGO when the family lived in Lorain! The owner had been updating the chip in hopes that one day, her sweet girl would be returned to her. Well, today - the owner's sister picked up Lucy Marie - and her family will be traveling to take her home.Microchip your pets. BUT DON'T FORGET TO KEEP THE INFO UPDATED!!"

Related: San Diego Dog Missing Since July Turns Up in Michigan and Her Family Reunion Is the Best

If you would like to update your own pet's information if you have moved, you can read more here .

Steps To Take If You Lose Your Dog

Losing your dog can be such a scary experience, but the good news is that according to the ASPCA , 93 percent of lost dogs are eventually recovered, and 90 percent of them are found within the first 12 hours.

One thing you can do is have your dog microchipped , so that if they are lost and they end brought to a vet it can be determined that you are the actual owner. Update the information with the microchip company on a regular basis, especially if you move or change phone numbers. Make sure your dog always wears a collar with your name and contact information on it. It's also a good idea to take current photographs of your dog in case they do go missing, and photographs of you with your dog in case you need further proof of ownership.

Contact friends and family immediately , the non-emergency number of your local police department, as well as your veterinarian, your local Humane Society and Animal Shelters, and make postings on social media lost and found groups for your area.

Create flyers with your contact information plus a current photo of your pet and distribute them to local businesses and neighbors.

If your dog has a keen nose, they might be able to sniff their way back to you. Take something that smells like you, such as a worn shirt, a blanket, a toy, or a crate. Leave the items where you last saw your dog.

Hopefully, your dog will be back home with you in no time!