A husky has returned home after 12 years. All thanks to a microchip (3 photos)

The dog went missing in 2014 as a puppy.





On April 8, the husky arrived at an animal shelter in Brooksville, Florida. She was thin, slow-moving, and missing patches of fur.

At the shelter, the dog received all the necessary medical care, medicated baths, daily walks and food, as well as the "endless love of the staff and volunteers."



When shelter staff checked the husky for a microchip, they learned her name, Sierra, and found the phone number of her owner, Bryce. He last saw her 12 years ago, when she was a growing puppy. The husky had gotten lost during a move from New Mexico to Texas.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office emphasized that this story demonstrates the importance of microchipping animals. "A simple microchip made all the difference. Without it, Sierra could have become just another lost, homeless dog," they noted.



"[The owner] never gave up hope, but he no longer thought he'd see her again. <...> When Bryce saw the photos of Sierra, his heart broke at the realization of her condition, but at the same time, he was overwhelmed with emotion knowing she was there... and that he would be able to see her again," the sheriff's office added.

The husky stayed at the shelter for about a week before being returned to her family with the help of several organizations and volunteers.

"Everyone who met her became part of her journey, determined to help this sweet old lady find her way home," the shelter noted. </...>