Denver man reunited with lost dog — almost 8 years later

More than seven years ago, Mike Nuanes’ Shih Tzu puppy went missing.

The Denver, Colorado, man and his late wife returned from a family breakfast at a nearby house to discover their dog Jordan was no longer in their backyard.

He searched the neighbourhood, assuming he’d find the dog dead on the side of the road.

"When I didn’t find him smashed, I knew someone had either taken him or found him," Nuanes told 7News Denver. “I put up posters with reward; never got a word.”

Late last month, Nuanes received a surprise phone call from the Fulton Country Animal Shelter in Atlanta, Georgia: They had his dog.

At first, Nuanes was confused. He and his girlfriend did a quick head count of their dogs. Sure enough, all four of them were in the backyard. He didn’t know the woman from the shelter was referring to the dog who went missing almost eight years ago.

"When she asked, ‘Is his name Jordan?’ That’s when my jaw hit the ground," Nuanes told KUSA.

Someone found the dog as a stray and brought Jordan, who was covered in fleas, emaciated and “in pretty bad shape,” to the shelter. Shelter staff identified the dog by its microchip.

“About 7 years ago a dog I had was either stolen or somehow got out of my yard. I looked high and low for him. Never did find him so I replaced him. This Monday I get a call from Atlanta, Ga. They tell me they have my dog,” Muanes wrote on Facebook. “Long story short I get to go get him tomorrow (Happy happy me) and bring him back home where he belongs.”

“Get your dog or cat a microchip and if this ever happens to you you might get lucky(like me) and get your best friend back.”

Days later, Nuanes hopped on a plane for Atlanta. With him, be brought a leash, food, food bowls, and a new collar.

Watch their sweet reunion here.

Nuanes flew home to Denver with Jordan on his lap. The dog is now making fast friends with Nuanes’ other dogs while his owner tries to fatten him up.

"They accepted him right in and they’re getting closer to him," Nuanes said. “Life is good at the Nuanes household for the dogs.”

On Facebook, Nuanes updated his friends on Jordan’s improving health:

“Jordan went to vet yesterday and he is already gaining weight. He is adapting ver well [sic] to his new old home. Getting along with the other four companions and Val and I. Very touched by all the comments that i have seen. Thank you all so much but thank you my honey (Val) for everything,” he wrote.

Nuanes still doesn’t know how Jordan ended up in Atlanta. He’s just happy to have him home.