California dog who went missing in 2021 found 2000 miles away in Michigan after 5 years — all thanks to one decision they made all those years ago

A California family who had nearly given up hope received news they never imagined would reach them again. Their dog, who vanished from their Antelope neighborhood in 2021, had been missing for five years, leaving only unanswered questions and fading possibilities. Then came a surprising update about how he had finally been found more than 2,000 miles away, tied to a fence. The hope that he might one day be found never fully faded, and soon, they received their Christmas miracle, all thanks to their one important decision made years ago.  

As reported by CBS News, the story began in 2021 when Choco disappeared from his home in Antelope. “He disappeared from the neighborhood and the owner kept searching for him, but could not find him,” shared Cindy from Helping Paws and Claws. 5 years later, he was found tied to a fence in Lincoln Park, near Detroit, Michigan, more than 2,000 miles away from his home. Staff at the Lincoln Park Animal Shelter took him in and gave him vaccinations and care while trying to understand who he belonged to. The answer came from his microchip, something Cindy has long encouraged pet owners to use. “This is proof positive that microchipping works, and this is why he's coming home today,” she said in an interview with the outlet. The next step was getting him back to California, which required help from volunteers willing to take part in his return.

One of those volunteers was Pam, who donated her SkyMiles so Choco could fly home with a Helping Paws and Claws escort. “I actually contacted Penny before I contacted my husband to see if it was okay to give our miles to fly Penny and the dog,” she said. While arrangements were made, Choco’s family learned where he had been found. Patricia, his owner, was stunned and recalled asking, “You’re talking about Lincoln, California, right? No, Lincoln, Michigan.” She explained that Choco had always been an escape artist, even before they adopted him in 2016. "After five years of having him, he finally got out and disappeared." The years without answers had been difficult, and the family slowly began to think they would never know what became of him. 

When Choco finally arrived in California, the reunion brought relief mixed with disbelief after five years apart. Patricia said her heart was “beating out of my chest,” grateful that the microchip had done exactly what it was meant to do. After a short drive home, Choco settled into familiar surroundings, acting as though the years away had not erased his connection to the people who loved him, as per iHeartDogs. His story reminded many viewers of how easily pets can wander off and how quickly a search can become overwhelming. Patricia urged others to take microchipping seriously, saying, “Microchip your dogs. With the holidays and the extreme cold, a story like mine can be your story next.” Choco’s journey remains a mystery, but the ending became clear the moment he walked back into the home that had always been waiting for him.