Two Microchipped California Dogs Return Home After Four Years Lost

Two Lost Dogs Found
Victor Garcia and his three dogs (from left) Tedo, Hobo and Hazel gather together in their front yard.

Although dog owner Victor Garcia thought his two beloved dogs, Hobo and Tedo, were lost forever, microchips brought them both home after they had been missing for four years.

Hobo, a male Dachshund, and Tedo, a brindle Shepherd mix, were playing in the backyard of Garcia’s North Long Beach, California home in April 2007 when they disappeared.

After a year passed, Garcia decided to move on and rescue another dog from the shelter, a female German Shepherd named Hazel, now 4 years old. He said he had finally adjusted to the idea that Hobo and Tedo weren’t coming home.

So last year when the first call came from Long Beach California Animal Care Services that Tedo, 7, had been picked up and identified by microchip, Garcia said he “just about dropped dead” from surprise.

“I barely recognized her when she came home because she had gained a little weight,” Garcia, 58, said. “She didn’t recognize me until she got home and saw her doggy door. That’s when she got excited.”

And when a second call came just last month, Garcia said he nearly fell out of his chair. Hobo, 6, known for his mop of black and brown untidy fur, had been found too.

“It was a total shock both times,” the dog owner said. “My German Shepherd took it all in stride, but when Hobo and Tedo met again they went berserk for about half an hour because they remembered each other.”

Having three dogs wasn’t planned, but as a retiree, Garcia said he’s glad he has enough time to take care of each of them and take the whole pack on long walks around the neighborhood.

“This threw a pleasant monkey wrench into my schedule,” he said. “Just when I was getting used to the two, now the third one comes in… They are my family.”

Garcia, who has been a dog lover his whole life, said he is just glad he spent the money to get the microchips and register the animals so that Animal Care Services could bring them back to him — even if the dogs’ return happened to be a few years later than expected.

“If you plan on keeping your dog, it is worth it to microchip,” he said while scratching two of the pooches behind the ears. “I know a lot of people who love their dogs like I do, and it really is worth it.”

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

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Melissa Glover
Melissa Glover
12 years ago

AWESOME!!  I’m waiting on my miracle!  My Tuff has been missing for a year since April 2010 and he is microchipped.  You are blessed!

JaniceRichards64
JaniceRichards64
12 years ago
Reply to  Melissa Glover

May I ask what type of dog and where he was lost?

Bessie Mac
12 years ago

So happy for all of them!

Pamela Hannan
12 years ago

thats great now they can be one big happy family

JaniceRichards64
JaniceRichards64
12 years ago

OMG!  I just read an article in WEB.MD/PETS magazine in my Doctor’s office.  The headline was something like:  “Microchipping your pet, is it really worth it?”   The article went on to say that it is definately an investment worthwhile.  All shelter’s and vet’s offices should be equipped with a scanner for the purpose of finding a dog’s owner, although some of the scanning equipment may be older and not up to date with the latest of technology that the chip can actually provide.  Another problem comes from the person who is checking for a chip.   If they are not aware of where to search, even though all chips are usually placed between the dog’s shoulder blades/back of neck area, the chips have a tendency to slip a bit.  Therefore the person scanning must be diligent in their search for the chip.  Most purebreads that come from reputable breeders and/or pet stores usually have the dog chipped before the dog is sold.  But if your best friend isn’t microchipped you may get it done at a vet’s office.   The cost is usually around $50.  Well worth the investment as Mr Garcia can attest to!!!

Laura Toohey Schoch
12 years ago

Melissa I’m praying for you and your friend tuff. Have faith. I can only imagine the torture you are experiencing.

resume writing
12 years ago

amazing story

Christina @Caninexchange

What was intresting to me is that the dogs were not even together and they still made it back around the same amount of time. Great story and hopefully this will encourage people to microchip their dogs!

BEEBULL1963
BEEBULL1963
12 years ago

I had my handicap trained block headed  cur dog stolen april2009 from my land , the law in my county raided a place they knew who had stolen dogs they found 3 of my stolen pit bulls their but tank was no wheres to be found hes micro chipped an trained to help me after i was in a bad rollover with my pick up truck a drunk hit me an flipped me an i needed tank to do things i couldnt do my self ,im told my dog tank possibly is in dade city fl  with a frankie chaff an his girlfriend  christian she is who all ways said if you dont want him i do , he is micro chipped an the chip people where notified with the police report  number an to date no one can find him at all,we think our neighbor stole him took him to the person the law eventially raided an gave frankie back my stolen dog an frankie took tank to dade city ,i wish i could find tank  because i still cant bend at all an really need him ,sad that people find it necessary to take some ones handicap trained dog i pd 1000 for him the money means nothing to me just for tank to come home does

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