Tanya Ohanian, who serves as the canine director of the Evanston Animal Shelter, first believed that the dog in question was just a stray that had been discovered in the surrounding area of Cook County, Illinois.

Ohanian was unaware of the fact that this dog’s family had been stolen from her when she was young, and that it had spent the last five years attempting to find its way back.

The personnel at the shelter scanned the dog for a microchip as soon as it was safe to do so, but they discovered that the information that was recorded was out of date. They speculated that it may go nothing further.

Nevertheless, not long after that, with the assistance of a community group known as Microchip Hunters, the shelter was able to miraculously receive a more full description of the dog’s previous life.

The newly acquired knowledge demonstrated that the canine in question was not an unidentified stray. Dottie was the name of the dog, and her family hadn’t seen or heard from her in almost a decade until they finally found her.

Soon enough, Ohanian was on the phone with Dottie’s family, informing them of the incredible news that their dearest friend had returned, and that she was waiting for them.

George Loving, Dottie’s dad, had been grieving the loss of his pet for such a long time that he couldn’t believe the news when it finally came.

According to what Loving shared with The Dodo, “I sobbed several nights over it.”

Unbelievably, he was holding her once again right now.

Ohanian said that everyone “was really, extremely delighted.”

It was initially unclear to Dottie’s family whether or not the puppy would know them after such a long absence; nevertheless, it became immediately apparent that the dog remembered them quite well.

Ohanian said that there was never a moment of doubt. “It was really stunning in every way.”

When they saw the dog quickly relax into the touch of her loved one, the personnel at the shelter couldn’t help but shed a tear. Even they couldn’t stop themselves.

Ohanian noted that it was an emotional experience for all of us. “I believe that every single one of us was crying.”

It is not quite obvious what Dottie’s adventure over the previous five years has consisted of at this point. It’s possible that her family may never fully comprehend all that transpired in her absence, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are overjoyed to have her back among them at last.