A family from Nebraska managed to find their dog, who had been missing for five years, at a gas station in the state of Indiana, approximately 1,033 kilometers from their home, on July 27.

Lincoln resident Inmaculada Jackman revealed that Chong, the family’s pet dog, escaped from home in 2021, beginning a long and persistent search for the animal.

“I continued to look for him,” Jackman said. “We frequented our old neighborhood, we drove around there and we always watched to see if anyone was walking him or if he was running somewhere.”

The end of the search came when a friend shared a post with Jackman from the Hendricks County Animal Shelter in Indiana.

Chong the dog was located near the Loves Truckstop gas station in the city of Pittsboro, about 642 miles from the family’s home.

Upon contacting the shelter, Jackman discovered a complication: Chong had received a microchip from another person in Lincoln after his escape, which, despite making the initial process difficult, shows the importance of electronic identification for pets.

“Because it was associated with another person, the shelter had to follow a specific protocol,” reported Jackman. “They tried to contact the registered phone numbers, but there was no response after the three-day waiting period.”

After completing the regulatory waiting period, Chong was released for adoption. So, Jackman traveled to Indiana, accompanied by Cheech, Chong’s brother, to take him back home.

“He recognized not only his guardian, but also his brother,” the shelter reported. “He returned to a home full of people with open arms, eager for his return.”

Chong’s exact path over the past five years remains unknown. However, Jackman and his family express great happiness to have him back.

“Never give up hope,” Jackman said. “It’s been five years, and we still managed to find him.”