A puppy named Snuggles was living his best life with his owner, Melanie Epperson, in Buffalo, New York.
He felt loved and thought that nothing could spoil his happiness.
Sadly, one day, the unthinkable happened, and Snuggles’ life was turned upside down.
While Epperson was moving into a new home, her grandson was looking after Snuggles. At some point, the door was left open, and the playful pup went outside and wandered off.
His forever mom missed him and searched for him, but Snuggles disappeared without a trace.
At first, she hoped that one day, he would reappear and throw himself into her arms, but as time went by, her optimism began to fade.
A Shocking Call
Snuggles felt confused and heartbroken. He wanted to return home, but he didn’t know how.
In March of 2025, a miracle happened. Eleven years after he got lost, the doggo reappeared. A Good Samaritan brought him to the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter.
When the staff scanned the dog, they found a microchip and learned that Melanie Epperson was his owner.
However, when the shelter called Epperson’s phone number, which was registered on the microchip, they couldn’t reach her because she had changed her number.
Then, staff reached out to her daughter, Chantel Stroud, who was her emergency contact.
Stroud was surprised when she found out that Snuggles had been found. She immediately called her mom and told her the happy news.
When Epperson heard that Snuggles was alright and that he was waiting for her at the Buffalo shelter, she couldn’t believe it.
“When I got that call, at first, I thought my daughter was joking. I thought she was playing around,” Epperson told WKBW-TV.
Happy To Be Back Home
Both Snuggles and Epperson were overjoyed to be reunited after so many years apart. The pup couldn’t stop smiling as he nestled into his mom’s arms and snuggled with her.
The doggo could tell that his mom’s love for him remained unchanged. He felt so lucky to finally be with her.
It’s not clear where the dog had been during all those years, but his forever mom is overjoyed to have her pup back in his home where he belongs.
Epperson and Snuggles can’t wait to make up for the lost time and enjoy their life together.
“I just never thought I would ever see him again. I Googled it, and he can live up to 18 years old. So, I have another 4 to 5 good years to snuggle Snuggles,” Epperson added.
Snuggles, I’m thrilled that you found your way home: Your incredible story is a reminder that we should never give up hope, no matter how difficult things may seem.