Long Lost Dog Reunited With Owner After 8 Years Apart

Chances of reuniting with a long lost dog are very slim. Every pet parent’s worst nightmare came true for Phoenix, Arizona resident Paul Guilbeault. To Paul and millions like him, pets are family members–so when his beloved Miniature Pinscher, Damien, went missing, he was devastated.

“We searched up until it got dark enough to where my dad forced us to stop searching,” Guilbeault told media. “We stayed for another week but my dad said we had to continue on.”

Brokenhearted and distraught, he returned home never to see his dog again. That is, until a random text message found its way to his phone eight years later.

How The Dog Went Missing

Back in 2017, Guilbeault and his dog were moving from Massachsetts to Arizona. During a pit stop in Oklahoma, Damien became startled, slipped his leash, and seemingly vanished.

He kept posting information about his missing pup online and never stopped thinking about his furry friend. As the years passed back, it seemed as though Guilbeault accepted his fate–Damien would never be found.

Sometimes, however, fate has a way of stepping in and making a miracle happen.

Long Lost Dog Reunited

In 2025, Guilbeault was dropping off clothes for those affected by the Palisades Fire in California when an unexpected message came through.

He says the caller left a message, which then came through as a preview on his Apple watch. All the message said was, “Your dog Damien has been found.”

How could his long lost dog be found? This surely had to be a hoax.

Like many pet parents, Guilbeault surmised that the call was a scam. After eight long years, how could Damien possibly find his way back home? Happily, the call was real. Damien encountered a guardian angel in Oklahoma. A woman named Donna Bentley saw Damien running across a road. She ran to the dog and scooped him up.

“He was screaming and trying to bite me,” Bentley recalled, “but I wasnt going to put him down and let him get run over.”

Her brother took the lost dog to a local veterinarian who scanned the pooch for a microchip. This is the beginning of Damien’s happy ending.

Tears of Joy for Long Lost Dog

Guilbeault drove 14 hours to Oklahoma to reunite with his pooch. Immediately, the dog remembered his dad, who cried tears of joy at the miracle.

Media outlets around the country covered the miracle moment, including Good Morning America. 

“They say unconditional love; well, there it is,” Bentley shared.

No one knows where Damien lived or how he survived for the past eight years. He’s unable to tell the tale, but his dad is elated to have his sweet dog back home where he belongs.

How to Prevent Your Pet From Getting Lost

Prevention is the key to keeping your pet safe. Bookmark this tips and share them with pet-loving family and friends to help keep your pets safe.

Microchip Your Pet

Pets can’t talk, so they are unable to communicate with their name, phone number, or where they live. A microchip acts as a voice for your pet.

The microchip is easily and painlessly inserted by your veterinarian underneath your pet’s skin, usually in the shoulder blade area. The microchip contains a unique number and pet parent information. You must register the chip with pertinent data and ensure you keep all contact information up to date.

Keep Identification Tags Up to Date

Speaking of up to date, identification tags are important, too. Although a collar may be removed or break, there’s a good chance someone will find your lost pet and reunite you thanks to an ID tag. Check tags often to be sure they aren’t worn and information is accurate. Pet parents change cell phones, move, etc.

Teach Your Pet the ‘Come” Command

As difficult as it may seem, teaching the 'come' command is worth practicing so your dog learns it sooner rather than later. Use positive reinforcement and be kind, calm, and patient when teaching anything new to your dog.

Bonus: Here’s how to teach your dog to come.

Never Allow Your Pet Off Leash

If you are a fan of dog parks, ensure they are double gated so dogs cannot bolt or escape. Even the most well-trained dogs and cats may bolt if they see a squirrel or become startled.

Keeping pets properly secured with a well-made harness can be a lifesaver. If your dog tends to pull, here’s how to find the best collar and harness.

Secure Your Yard and Home

If you have a backyard in which your dog or cat likes to run, play, or relieve themselves, ensure it is enclosed.

There are many options to keep pets safe–from standard fencing to electric fences. Traditional fences can be costly and not everyone wants a bulky, unsightly fence. Instead, electric fences for dogs are a safe, viable option to keep them safe. 

It's easier to keep your pets safe than to have them become a statistic such as a long lost dog or cat.

For more information and what to do if your pet goes missing, check out our resources:

Resources

How to Help When Pets Go Missing What To Do If You Find a Lost Dog When Your Adopted Dog is Someone Else’s Lost Pet