Moment Family Reunites with Lost Bulldog 9 Years After He Went Missing Is So Heartwarming

A family received an unexpected call that nine years after their Bulldog went missing, he had been found safe, and the reunion was heartwarming.

On August 16, 2024, KARK News shared the story of how a family in Texas met up with their list dog in Arkansas. Here's what happened.

According to the news station , David and Alejandra Cardenas adopted a Bulldog named Milo when he was just a puppy.

Related: Mom Finds 'Lost' Dog in Most Unlikely Spot After Frantic Search

David was deployed in the Navy, and the two decided to get a puppy so Milo could keep Alejandra company when David was away. Unfortunately, things didn't turn out that way.

The couple needed to move, so they left Milo with a family member in Texas while they moved. While Milo was in the care of a family member, they say their pet was stolen. And they didn't have much information to go on in hopes of finding him.

"The worst part was, like my wife and I say, just not knowing," David told the news station.

Years had passed, and nearly nine years later, a random phone call with an Arkansas number. Someone had found Milo.

“It was very overwhelming,” David said.

A woman named Jenny Bridges in Cabot, Arkansas, found Milo, and with the microchip and help from the Little Woods Animal Hospital and Dirt Roads Mutts Rescue, they were able to reach the Cardenas family.

"I Facetimed them, and as soon as I turned the camera around, their voices changed, and they were so excited,” Jenny told the news station.

The family decided to drive the 800 miles from Texas to Arkansas to pick up Milo.

“I just told my boss, ‘Hey, I got an emergency. I got to go,’ so I canceled everything for the day,” David said.

Milo is now back home with his family. They are all a little older but happy to be together.

“They’re different looking but the feeling is still the same, you don’t get rid of that,” David said.

What to Do If Your Dog Has Gone Missing

According to American Humane , if you've lost your pet, the best thing to do is act immediately. "The sooner you begin your search, the better the odds of finding them," they share

The first thing you should do is search your neighborhood and let those in the area know that your pet is missing. Call your pet's name and check anywhere it might have gotten stuck.

"Check any places where they could have become trapped, such as in basements or garages or under vehicles," American Humane suggests. "A lost pet often will hide during the day, so be sure to go out again at night with a flashlight and call for them."

You can try to put out some food to see if your pet will come to that or shake a bag of their favorite treats. Checking in with your local animal shelters is also a good idea.

"Don’t just call — also visit the shelters to search for your pet. Many animals are difficult to describe over the phone, and only you really know what your pet looks like," the American Humane suggests.

Putting up posters in your area with a photo of your pet and using online forums and social media are also great ways to spread the word.