Ziva vanished from her home in Gillette, Wisconsin in 2017 when she was five-years-old. Her owner, Vicki Kissack had adopted Ziva when she was just a puppy at only eight-weeks, and she fit in perfectly with the family who adored her.
Sometimes fate plays a major role in reuniting pet parents with their beloved pets, and although this took quite awhile before Ziva made it home, it had been in 2016 after Ziva had been missing from her home nearly a month, that the family veterinarian suggested their dog be microchipped. At the time, Vicki wasn’t convinced and thought the cost of the microchip was too expensive.
One year later, Ziva escaped again. This time, she didn’t return. The family did an exhaustive search for her, but there had been no sightings and no clues as to her location. Fortunately, Vicki had allowed the vet to microchip Ziva; the tiny chip would pay off many years later.
Fast forward nine years later, when on March 27, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office had been notified about a stray dog walking along the road not far from where Vicki and her family lived. The dog was taken to the local animal shelter where her photo had been taken and shared on the neighborhood’s Facebook page.
Vicky’s husband was the first one to see the post and knew the dog looked familiar. And oh yes … it was Ziva.
Ziva was identified through her microchip. The vet provided Kissack with the chip number; Animal Control confirmed that this dog was Ziva, and Vicky was able to pick the dog up.
Never Give Up Hope!
Our dog Ziva made it home after being stolen 9 yrs ago!
Get your dog microchipped! Thankful for Kelsie Dellos encouraging me have Ziva microchipped with Home Again microchip in 2017
Sadly, it was no heartwarming reunion when Vicki went to the shelter to reclaim her long lost dog. Ziva didn’t seem to recognize her family. In Ziva’s defense, she is now 15 years-old, undernourished and perhaps having some “senior moments.” She has struggled with getting used to her home again. For awhile, she wasn’t very hungry, a bit distant and seemed lost. After all, nine years is a lifetime for a dog.
Ziva is an old girl now; she’s deaf and her eyesight is failing. She has become used to her original home again, and Vicki is grateful for her dog’s return, but wonders if Ziva misses the home where she had been for the past nine years.
No one has come forward reporting their dog was missing, but Ziva is home, and for that we are all very thankful.
(Photos via Vicki Kissack’s Facebook page)
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