Man and Missing Miniature Pinscher Share Emotional Reunion After 8 Years Apart

It took eight years, but a beloved Miniature Pinscher is back with his family at long last.

In 2017, Paul Guilbeault was moving from Massachusetts to Arizona with his family when his dog, Damian, ran off. While they were on their journey to their new home, Paul and his family made a pit stop near Oklahoma City. Damian got spooked, slipped his leash and ran away.

Paul desperately searched for Damian, even delaying their move for a week, but he couldn’t find any trace of him. Heartbroken, the family had to make the devastating choice to leave him behind.

His heart shattered, Paul never gave up hope of reuniting with his best friend. But as the years passed, that hope grew slimmer. Until two weeks ago, when he received an unexpected text message.

Paul was on his way to donate clothes to survivors of the Southern California wildfires when he received a message that read: “Your dog Damian has been found.”

Donna Bentley in Oklahoma had nearly hit a tiny dog running across the street. She stopped and picked the dog up; he was so frightened he tried to bite her, but she refused to let him go. Her brother Rick brought the dog to the vet and suggested they scan the dog for a chip…it was Damian!

The moment Paul got the news, he immediately changed his plans and re-routed his trip for a 14-hour drive to Oklahoma. Despite the many years apart, Damian recognized his dad instantly, and their reunion couldn’t have been sweeter.

Although Damian is now “an old man,” Paul is determined to make up for lost time and shower him with love for the rest of his days.

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