Ruth Parada de Martinez and her daughters will always remember the day their beloved dog, Dante, went missing.
While out on one of his walks, Dante unexpectedly slipped from his leash and chased after other dogs, vanishing from view, leaving his family devastated.
Dante was much more than a pet; he was a cherished member of the family, and Ruth and her daughters couldn’t fathom their lives without him. He was their everything.
Desperate to find him, they scoured the neighborhood, but he was nowhere to be seen, and no one had any information about his whereabouts.
Struggling to Move Forward
The family welcomed Dante into their lives in 2017 after Ruth’s eldest daughter was diagnosed with lymphoma.
As a young puppy, Dante filled their home with joy and offered unwavering support to the family until July 26, 2022— the day he went missing.
Ruth and her daughters found it challenging to cope. Their thoughts were consumed by the absence of their beloved pup.
Heartbroken, the family made the decision to relocate to a new town in Virginia, 20 miles away from their previous home.
Dante’s Journey to a Shelter
In August 2022, a compassionate individual spotted a lovable dog in Burke, Virginia, and brought him to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
This sweet dog quickly captured the hearts of the shelter staff.
They were determined to locate his owners, but sadly, the friendly stray did not have a collar or microchip. They even browsed through lost dog reports, but found no leads.
The staff decided to name him “Soldier.”
They dedicated their efforts to finding this pup a loving home. With his charming personality, the shelter staff felt confident that he would soon be adopted.
“Soldier” encountered several potential families but seemed withdrawn, reluctant to engage with them. At this point, the shelter personnel were unaware that Dante’s heart was filled with longing for his family.
“… He shut down during all his meet-and-greets — there was just a little bit of sadness about him. We kept discussing it in staff meetings: ‘Why isn’t this beautiful, playful boy getting adopted?’ We couldn’t figure it out. And then, of course, we realized he was waiting for his family,” shared Reasa Currier, the director of the shelter, with PEOPLE.
In October 2022, Ruth, her two daughters, and her grandson visited the Fairfax County Animal Shelter with the aim of adopting a dog.
As they explored the adoption area, none of the dogs resonated with them. Just as they were about to leave, a remarkable turn of events occurred.
A Heartwarming Reunion with Dante
While browsing pictures of dogs on display in the shelter’s lobby, Ruth’s daughter, Kayla Martinez, spotted a familiar face. Her heart raced with excitement upon recognizing Dante.
When she informed her mother of her discovery, Ruth was initially skeptical, thinking the dog was named Soldier.
Kayla, overwhelmed with emotions, began to cry, firmly believing it was their beloved Dante. Persuaded by her insistence, Ruth asked the staff if they could see the dog.
The moment Dante laid eyes on his family, he was filled with joy, his entire body wiggling in delight. The happiness radiated from him.
Ruth and her children shed tears of joy as their beloved Dante stood before them. The pup leaped with excitement, and the family rushed to embrace him.
Overjoyed, Dante felt a wave of happiness; he had never given up hope that his family would find him.
Ruth shared pictures of Dante from when he was a puppy with the shelter staff, expressing her gratitude for the care they provided to their precious boy.
The following day, she took Dante home, relieved that their ordeal was finally over. The happy pup was ecstatic to be reunited with his family.
Dante’s journey underscores the vital importance of having dogs microchipped. Had this playful pup been microchipped, he could have been back with his family soon after arriving at the shelter.
