Hope Takes the Long Way Home

He can’t tell us exactly where he’s been sleeping or who has been petting him, but Chong and his family don’t really care at this point.

Five years after wandering from his home in 2021 for a journey of at least 640 miles, the dog was recently reunited with Immaculada Jackman and her children in Lincoln, Neb.

“I still looked for him,” Jackman was quoted as saying in People. “We still went to our old neighborhood and drove around and looked to see if we could see anyone walking him or if he was running around somewhere.”

Earlier this week, Chong was found behind a truck stop in Indiana more than 640 miles from Lincoln, according to 1011NOW. A microchip – implanted by someone after Chong ran away from the Jackman home – was the only clue that led an animal shelter’s staff back to Nebraska.

A friend sent Jackman the shelter’s social media post about the discovery.

“My friend sent me the post, and I just couldn’t believe it,” Jackman said.

Hope, Pray, Love

Jackman contacted the animal shelter immediately and explained her situation. She said shelter staff told her they were hoping the people who chipped Chong would not reach out to claim him.

“They told me that they were all hoping and praying that the other people did not contact them,” Jackman said.

After three days, Chong was officially available for adoption and able to return to his original family.

Heartwarming footage from the shelter shows the initial confusion Chong felt when being reunited with Jackman after five years, with the dog eventually cuddling with his owner and barking with joy, according to The New York Post.

The Hendricks County Animal Shelter said in a Facebook post on July 23: “Our staff worked hard over the few days we had him to make contact with the Lincoln Nebraska Animal Control, microchip company and original owner. The microchip owner never came forward and never responded, but we were more than happy to reunite Chong with his original family!”

Though Jackman had still hoped to find Chong, it was still a bit of a shock, and not just for Chong’s human family.

Chong’s brother, Che Che, also traveled to the reunion in Indiana to retrieve Chong.

“Never lose hope,” Jackman said. “It’s been five years, and we found him.”

The Bright Side: Sometimes hope takes the long way home. Even after years of uncertainty, it’s worth leaving the door open for unexpected reunions.

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For another animal who survived and inspired against all odds, read about miracle newborn calf Millie from Minnesota.