Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/florida-woman-reunited-with-lost-senior-dog/

After missing for nearly a year, a 16-year-old Westie has been reunited with his family.

Lisa Raulerson recounted the miserable day that her beloved dog Sparky went missing to WPTV-TV. It was a rainy day last October when Sparky escaped through an open gate at his West Palm Beach home. Raulerson said she accidentally left the gate open.

“We looked for a week or two just straight looking for him,” she said.

Sparky was 15 years old at the time and partially deaf. The family posted missing dog flyers and even offered a reward for the return of their cherished pet.

As the days passed, Raulerson began to lose hope that she would ever see Sparky again.

But almost a year later, she spotted a photo of a Westie on a local shelter’s Facebook page that looked just like Sparky.

It turns out the senior dog was picked up by Palm Beach animal control as a stray. Sparky was scanned for a microchip, which he had, but the information was not up to date. Sunshine State Westie Rescue saved the matted and dirty boy just in time.

“We pulled him the day before his final day,” wrote the rescue.

Raulerson immediately contacted the rescue to inquire about the dog she saw on Facebook and discovered it was Sparky.

Due to a “very unusual circumstance”, the shelter was able to confirm Raulerson was the owner by verifying with the vet who provided the chip that it was indeed her dog.

The two were reunited 331 days after Sparky went missing and the family is thrilled to have him home. “I feel like a void in my heart was filled I really do. I never thought I’d see him again but here he is. I wish he could talk,” stated Raulerson.

The rescue shared the happy reunion with their followers and urged everyone to have their dog microchipped and keep the contact info updated.

“We are telling you his story to show you that you should never give up if your dog goes missing. Keep your posts about your missing dog updated, keep the information with the shelter up to date. You just never know what could happen. MOST IMPORTANTLY, microchip your dog or cat, and register that chip!”

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog