A puppy named Snuggles was living happily with his owner, Melanie Epperson, in Buffalo, New York, feeling loved—until one day, tragedy struck when he wandered off during the moving process.
While Epperson was relocating, her grandson was supposed to look after Snuggles. Unfortunately, the door was left open, and the playful pup slipped outside, disappearing without a trace. Epperson desperately searched for him, holding onto the hope that he would return, but as time passed, her optimism started to fade.
A Shocking Call
After eleven long years, a miracle occurred in March 2025 when Snuggles was found by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter. Upon scanning him for a microchip, staff discovered that Melanie Epperson was his owner. Unfortunately, they couldn’t reach her since she had changed her phone number.
However, they contacted her daughter, Chantel Stroud, who was listed as the emergency contact. Stroud was astonished to learn that Snuggles had been found and immediately broke the joyful news to her mother.
Epperson initially thought it was a prank when she received the call about Snuggles being safe and waiting for her at the shelter. “When I got that call, I thought my daughter was joking,” she recounted to WKBW-TV.
Happy To Be Back Home
Overjoyed to be reunited, Snuggles snuggled into Epperson’s arms, clearly showing that her love for him had never faded. The duo was thrilled to be back together, ready to make up for lost time.
Although the details of where Snuggles had been all those years remain a mystery, Epperson could not be happier to have him back home. Together, they are eager to cherish every moment and create new memories.
“I just never thought I would ever see him again. I Googled it, and he can live up to 18 years old. So, I have another 4 to 5 good years to snuggle Snuggles,” Epperson expressed.
Welcome home, Snuggles! Your remarkable journey serves as a powerful reminder that we should never lose hope, no matter how daunting the circumstances may appear.
