Bulldog Left Outside Shelter Reunites with Shocked Family 4 Years After He Vanished

“Romieee! It’s been a while, bud.” That’s what Rome the Bulldog’s family told him after joyfully reuniting with him four years after he went missing.

Employees at Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) in Texas found a Bulldog and a Chihuahua tied to the gate of the shelter a few weeks ago—something that, unfortunately, happens quite often. The dogs had on coats and were left with a blanket and toys. But it was what was under the Bulldog’s skin that surprised them.

The Bulldog, whose name is Rome, had two microchips, and with one of them they tracked down his original owners. They learned the family, now living in California, had reported Rome missing four years earlier.

Rome had disappeared after they let him outside to use the bathroom in their fenced-in yard. But it was a windy day, and it appeared the gate blew open and Rome escaped. APA! wrote, “In January 2021, Rome was just a puppy when he slipped out of his backyard and disappeared. His family searched tirelessly—posting flyers, knocking on doors, and filing reports—but he seemed to have vanished without a trace.”

Fast forward to February 2025. When Rome’s family got the call from APA!, they were stunned but immediately made plans to drive the thousands of miles necessary to get him back. They wondered if he would recognize them. But they needn’t have worried.

@austinpetsalive In January 2021, Rome was just a puppy when he slipped out of his backyard and disappeared. His family searched tirelessly–posting flyers, knocking on doors, and filing reports–but he seemed to have vanished without a trace.  Fast-forward to February 2025: Rome was found tied to a gate at APA! over 1,000 miles away with no ID, alongside a small chihuahua. Thanks to his microchip, we traced him back to his original family, who drove across state lines for an emotional, tear-filled reunion.  Today, Rome is finally back with the family that never stopped loving him, and he’s on his way back to California to start his next chapter–right where he belongs! Microchips reunite families. Make sure your pets’ is up to date! #reunited #reunion #happytails #microchip @The Dodo @weratedogs @CBS Austin @KVUE ♬ original sound – Austin Pets Alive!

Rome wagged his nubby tail happily as his dad greeted him, and leaned right into him. His mom began crying and said how overcome with emotion she was.

“We are a ball of emotion right now,” the family told APA!. “We are so excited to see him. Words cannot describe the emotion of what we felt when he was gone, so to have that void filled today is absolutely incredible.”

Rome’s mom added in the reunion video, “Chip your dogs because you just never know.”