Brittany Simpson and her family faced one of the worst nightmares imaginable for dog owners when their cherished pup, Ruger, went missing from their yard. Despite their tireless search and the hope that Ruger, who was microchipped, would one day return, seven long years passed without any news. They eventually believed he had been stolen and lost all hope of ever seeing his sweet face again, not knowing Ruger was about to find his way back home.
Ruger Reappears
In a fortunate turn of events, Rebecca and her daughters discovered a pup wandering in their Amarillo, Texas yard. Unfortunately, the dog was in poor condition, suffering from a skin infection. Despite being skittish and untrusting, Rebecca’s family successfully coaxed him into their home, feeding and bathing him. Realizing the pup was still trembling, Rebecca knew he needed immediate veterinary attention. She suspected a fever.
A few hours later, after posting a picture of the dog on Amarillo Pet Lost And Found in hopes of finding the owner, a seemingly ordinary June day took an unexpected twist for Simpson. While scrolling through Facebook, she saw a familiar face appear on her screen.
Simpson was taken aback, saying, “I immediately saw him and my heart dropped! I was like, ‘That looks so much like my dog,’” in an interview with The Dodo. Although the pup appeared older, she recognized his distinct markings. Overwhelmed with emotion, Simpson commented on Rebecca’s post, expressing her belief that the dog was Ruger, who had been missing for seven years, and shared an older photo of him as evidence.
After seeing the photo, Rebecca was convinced it was the same dog. She promptly took the pup to the vet, where he was examined and scanned for a microchip. As soon as Simpson received confirmation from the microchip agency, she hurried to the vet’s office to reunite with her beloved dog. It felt surreal to her, as she never imagined she would have the chance to see Ruger again.
Reunited With His Family
Upon arriving at the vet, Simpson tenderly approached Ruger. Initially, he kept his head down, not recognizing her immediately. It was evident that Ruger had not been well treated by those who had him, suffering from a double ear infection and a bacterial infection throughout his body. She took him home to his family in Amarillo, where he was met with open arms and an abundance of love.
Simpson’s children had never forgotten their sweet pup and were overjoyed to have him back in their lives.
“It feels like we’re living a dream. We just sit and cuddle him and watch him sleep,” Simpson reflected. Ruger’s family is determined to compensate for the lost years, showering him with the love and care he deserves.
Shortly after returning home, Ruger began to heal and adjust to life with his loving family, finally soaking up the love he had missed. He was back where he belonged all along.
