Dog Lost While Brunching Found After Five Years

In a tale that tugs at the heartstrings, a Phoenix-area family has been reunited with their beloved Pomeranian, Princess, who mysteriously vanished five years ago. Daisy Gonzales and her family's ordeal began on a Mother's Day brunch in 2018, an event that was meant to be a joyous family gathering in Downtown Phoenix near Roosevelt and Central Avenue.

The brunch, filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses, turned into a nightmare when Princess, a petite Pomeranian who could easily nestle in a small purse, disappeared without a trace. "I was inside with my friend grabbing drinks for everybody and my dad was setting up Jenga" Daisy told Fox10, "and my mom ran inside saying, ‘Daisy do you have Princess?’ Then we freaked out from there"

The family's search was extensive and heartrending. They blanketed the area with posters, scoured animal shelters across the Valley, and turned to social media, hoping for a miracle. Despite their efforts and a generous reward offer, the trail went cold, leaving the Gonzales family with a Princess-shaped hole in their hearts.

But fate had a twist in store. On November 7, nearly five and a half years later, the family received an astonishing call from the White Tanks Animal Hospital. A good Samaritan had brought Princess to the clinic, where her microchip revealed her true identity. "They found my Princess," an emotional Daisy shared. "I was in disbelief. She's been missing for so long."

The reunion was nothing short of miraculous. Princess, now nine years old, was in good health, albeit in need of some dental care. The family had kept her clothes and custom collar, holding onto hope against hope.

The joy in the Gonzales household is palpable. "She remembers us," says Daisy, smiling through tears. "She loves my dad and slept well last night. It's like she never left." The family credits the microchip for this unlikely reunion, advocating for its use and urging veterinary clinics to scan new patients to verify ownership.

This story, originating from a simple family brunch, highlights the unbreakable bond between pets and their families. It's a reminder of the power of hope, the importance of microchipping pets, and the joy of reunions, no matter how long it takes!