Missing Chihuahua Reunited with Owner After 12 Years
For almost 12 years, Vanessa Antonino felt the absence of her beloved chihuahua, Flor. She described their bond by saying, “Wherever we went, we were always together. It was me and her; she was my shadow.” Sadly, Flor went missing on the North Side of Chicago, leaving Antonino heartbroken after months of fruitless searching. Reflecting on the loss, Antonino hoped someone kind had taken Flor to provide her a better life.
The story took a surprising turn when Antonino received an unexpected call from the Evanston Animal Shelter. The voice on the line said, “We have Flor.” This revelation left Antonino overjoyed and in tears. She finally knew what happened to Flor.
A series of severe storms in Gary, Indiana, caused power outages and flooding. During the cleanup, a construction worker from Louisiana found Flor wandering the streets. This led to her discovery by Griffith Animal Control and Shelter, where a small microchip in her ear was found. Despite the outdated information on the chip, volunteers from Microchip Hunters managed to trace it thanks to detailed recording practices involved in microchipping pets.
The Evanston Animal Shelter, notified of Flor’s whereabouts, sprang into action. The shelter’s volunteer, Gillian Primavera, traveled to Gary to collect Flor. Meanwhile, another shelter employee informed Antonino of the miraculous news.
Antonino and her four children, all born after Flor disappeared, experienced a tearful reunion with Flor. “She’s a big sister now,” Antonino remarked humorously, emphasizing the chihuahua’s importance to the family. Flor appeared healthy, thanks to treatments she received at Griffith Animal Shelter.
The journey Flor undertook from Chicago to Gary remains unknown. This reunion highlights the importance of microchipping pets. “Any stray found in Evanston comes through our doors, and the first thing we do is scan for a microchip,” said veterinary student intern Maddie Ratkowski. This practice significantly increases the chances of reuniting pets with their owners.