Stolen Rottweiler Returns Home 8 Years Later

A microchip, a good Samaritan and a persistent veterinary clinic are getting the credit for reuniting a Coconut Grove man with his long-lost Rottweiler.

Joshua Edwards and his dog Duke were brought back together recently following an eight-year separation, the Miami Herald reported. It seems Duke, now 120 pounds, was stolen out of Edwards’ back yard when the pooch was just a puppy.

“I never thought I would see him again,” Edwards told the paper.

Courtesy of a woman who spotted the gentle giant wandering Southwest 137th Avenue last week and the staff at Tamiami Animal Hospital, however, that assumption has turned out false.

Edwards and Duke were reunited on Tuesday after clinic staff was able to track Duke’s microchip to Edwards, the Florida Times Union reported.

“We always hope the animals have chips,” vet Juan Santamarina was quoted by the Times as saying.

As for Duke’s reaction to seeing his long-lost owner, both papers report the critter seemed rather excited. At first he licked Edwards’ face and then he rolled over for a belly rub.

Edwards, who is now married, and has two children and three other dogs said was more than happy to make room to bring Duke home.

He only wishes Duke could speak “and tell us what happened,” the Herald quoted him as saying.

Duke’s microchip was registered with Avid’s PETtrac program. To find out more about the company’s chips or its PETtrac Pet Recovery Network, visit the company’s website. Information about microchipping is also available at county animal services agencies, through the SPCA and at local veterinary offices.

Screenshot

See Also:

• Missing Florida Dog Turns Up in New Hampshire
• Missing New York Dog Found 2 Years Later in Florida

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.