In a heartwarming tale that spans states and years, Michael Joy, a Clarksville resident and U.S. Army veteran, experienced an unexpected and emotional reunion with his long-lost canine companion, Sam.

On the morning of April 2, a call from an unknown number in Cleveland, Ohio, changed Joy’s life as he knew it. Normally wary of answering such calls, his intuition led him to pick up, setting in motion a series of events that would bring Sam back into his family’s loving arms.

Sam’s journey with the Joys began when Michael, stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia, rescued the spirited pup from a family unable to handle his exuberance.

Determined to provide Sam with a home, Joy worked on obedience training, hoping Sam would eventually become either a service dog or an emotional support animal. However, military deployments separated the duo, and during one such period, Sam went missing.

The family’s relocation to Clarksville marked a new chapter, but the absence of Sam lingered. Then came the unexpected call from City Dogs of Cleveland, delivering news that seemed too good to be true. Sam, missing for four years, had been found. Overwhelmed with disbelief and joy, the Joys wasted no time in embarking on an eight-hour journey from Tennessee to Ohio to reclaim their lost family member.

Reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster, Joy likened the experience to the profound relief of returning home after a lengthy deployment. Sam, the youngest of a trio of dogs that Joy had at the time, had left an indelible mark on the family. Though the other two dogs had since passed away, Sam’s return brought a renewed sense of completeness to the Joy household.

In a twist of fate, just as the family was in the process of training a new addition to their canine clan—another dog named Sam—came the unexpected call from Cleveland. Now, the Joys find themselves with not one but two Sams, creating a unique and heartening scenario that few could have anticipated.

The reunion was made possible through the diligent efforts of Cleveland Animal Care & Control. Kennel manager Michelle Harvanek emphasized their commitment to reuniting lost dogs with their owners, highlighting the importance of microchipping.

Harvanek explained that the organization takes pride in tracing microchips promptly, making multiple attempts to contact owners. Every dog leaving their care, whether through adoption or return to owner, is microchipped, underscoring the significance of this simple yet invaluable tool in reuniting families with their beloved pets.

Harvanek expressed the sentiment shared by many in the animal welfare community, stating, “This is one of those very feel-good stories that make all of our hard work worth it.”

The heartwarming reunion of Michael Joy and his long-lost Sam serves as a testament to the enduring bond between humans and their furry companions, proving that sometimes, against the odds, lost can indeed be found.