Chicago Man Reunites With Lost Dog After 10 Years
A Chicago man’s heartwarming reunion with his long-lost dog has touched countless hearts after the pair were separated for an entire decade. Edmon Lighthall never gave up hope that he would one day see his poodle-doodle mix, Peter, again. When that day finally came, he celebrated with a joyous “welcome home” party in Peter’s honor.
Surrounded by family and friends, Lighthall hosted the celebration at a local park. “We went to the park, we did a picnic, we introduced him to his sister [dog] and a couple of other pooches from different family and friends,” he shared. The gathering was filled with laughter, wagging tails, and tears of joy as Peter received endless affection.
Peter had vanished ten years earlier, disappearing from the family’s backyard without a trace. Lighthall spent years searching, but as time passed, his hope began to fade. That changed just two weeks ago when he received an unexpected message. A pet microchip registry had alerted him that Peter’s chip had been scanned, after police found the elderly dog wandering the streets of Hammond, Indiana.
The very next morning, Lighthall drove 45 minutes to Hammond, where he finally saw his beloved companion again. “It was absolutely unbelievable,” he recalled. “He came out, he greeted me, and I felt like he recognized me immediately.” Their reunion was captured on TikTok, showing Peter spinning with excitement before lying down in front of his owner, just as he had done in the past.
For Lighthall, the emotional moment confirmed what he had always believed—that their bond could never be broken. “I’d say to friends, ‘If he’s alive, I’m sure that I’ll see him again.’ People would laugh, but I just felt it,” he said.
Now 14 or 15 years old, Peter has slowed down, but he still surprises his owner with bursts of “puppy energy.” Lighthall feels grateful every single day to have him back in his life. The Hammond Police Department, which oversees Hammond Animal Control, praised the reunion as a testament to the importance of pet microchipping. “Even after ten years, this little guy was reunited with his family thanks to that tiny chip,” officials said.
The city of Hammond continues to offer free microchipping for residents, ensuring more pets can find their way home. For Edmon and Peter, the miracle reunion proved that love and loyalty truly stand the test of time.
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