Chicago Dad’s Miraculous Reunion With His Dog After 10 Years Has The Internet So Invested

Ed Lighthall probably never imagined the day would come when he’d see his beloved pup again.

Ten long years had passed since Pete disappeared from his backyard in Chicago. Back then, Ed thought Pete had been stolen, and the heartbreak of losing him was overwhelming.

Every day, for ten years, he wondered where his little buddy might be, if he was safe, and whether they’d ever get another chance to be together.

Then, in what can only be called a miracle, Pete was spotted in Indiana, about 20 miles from where he had vanished.

A passerby noticed him near a busy street in Hammond, and animal control was called. The little poodle mix wearing a collar and tags was safely scooped up.

It turned out the person who had him recently no longer wanted him, which could have been yet another heartbreaking twist. 

Laney Bunner of Hammond Animal Control shared in a YouTube video:

“The dog was running loose right here on this very busy corner and was picked up, brought to our establishment… He was wearing a collar and tags, but the tag owner did not want the dog back.”

But thanks to his microchip, the connection back to Ed was made. After a decade apart, the bond that had never faded brought them back together.

Ed couldn’t believe the news. Ten years of missing a best friend, of wondering and hoping, and now he was finally getting the chance to hold Pete in his arms again.

The reunion was surreal, filled with disbelief, joy, and overwhelming gratitude. It was as if time itself had been rewound just for them, as Ed shared:

“I’m still on a cloud. This is unbelievable… I’m happy. And I feel like he’s happy, and my whole family’s happy. Everybody I know is happy about this.”

The adjustment hasn’t been instantaneous, of course. Pete has aged, and some things have changed, as Ed explained:

“He’s a lot older than when I last saw him, so I’m adjusting to that part.. His energy level, all those things, but he’s happy, he’s healthy.”

But even though he was now older and wiser, Pete was still the same affectionate pup at heart. The years apart didn’t matter; they picked up right where they left off.

Ed says it doesn’t matter what exactly happened and where Pete spent all those years. What matters is that his little buddy is finally back home where he belongs.

His gratitude extends far beyond just having Pete back in his life. He is endlessly thankful to the staff at Hammond Animal Control, who treated Pete with care and never gave up on finding his family, sharing:

“I am so thankful to those folks at animal control. They got me my dog back.”

Now, he’s planning a little celebration for Pete, complete with cake, and he can’t wait to finally introduce him to his daughters, who were just kids when Pete went missing.

Pete’s amazing story shows that miracles can happen when we least expect them.

Ten years apart couldn’t break the bond between Ed and Pete, and now, as they share every moment together, it’s clear that some loves truly last forever.

This reunion is a perfect reminder that for those who never stop caring, never give up, and never stop hoping, incredible things can happen, even after a decade.