LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) – A Polk County family got a heartwarming surprise Wednesday morning.
Two months after their dog ran away, he was returned. And, it’s all because of the persistence of the staff at the Lakeland Police Department.
“It’s heartbreaking. You almost give up,” Kaila Kitchens said. She never thought her family would see their dog, Chompers, again.
Back in June the husky jumped their fence and disappeared. “We had him all over Facebook. People were tagging me with pictures with huskies on Facebook, and it was never mine,” Kitchens said.
“He was always right there, and I would always lay on him. It really has been sad with I’m being missing so long,” Summer Gau said.
Wednesday morning only News Channel 8 was there to capture the reunion that Chompers’ family almost gave up on.
“Come on Chomp! Hi Chomp!” the family all cheered with joy as he ran to them.
Determined staff at the Lakeland Police Department made it happen.
“We were all sort of bound and determined to track down the owner,” said Julie Cason, a Public Safety Aide with the department.
“After much research and the power of social media, I was able to track down my niece who knows the owner. You see so many sad things in this job. When you see things like this, where they work out the way they were supposed to, especially with kids, that’s why you’re here.”
The Kitchens wasted no time picking up their beloved pooch.
“My kids even thought that they were dreaming when I woke them up to tell them we were coming here to pick him up,” said Kitchens.
“I couldn’t believe it was real. And my husband will definitely be fixing the fence this weekend!”