Jake, boxer

Dog and owners reunited after nearly two years apart
by JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA-TV
Posted on January 1, 2010 at 10:38 PM

FORT WORTH ― After a long, strange journey, it's the moment of truth for Jake the boxer.

A family is waiting to see if he is the beloved pet who vanished nearly two years ago from his home in northwest Fort Worth.

Brian and Bobbie Jo Bishop had no reason to believe they would ever see him again.

He's grayer and leaner than they remember, but there's no doubt it's him.

"Your momma never gave up on you," Bobbie Jo Bishop said during the tearful reunion.

Jake disappeared in 2008 after a spring storm damaged the fence in the Bishop's backyard, but they also have to wonder whether someone stole him.

They knew Jake remembered his name when he wagged his tail as they called to him.

The Bishops found Jake's old collar out in the street near their home after he disappeared. They walked the neighborhood for weeks calling his name, putting up posters and trying not to give up hope.

"Such a good dog," Brian Bishop said as he blew in Jake's face.

Brian Bishop searched animal shelters for months. His wife never stopped looking online. A few days ago, she spotted a photo on the Web site for Legacy Boxer Rescue.

"This picture and that … It's the same dog," Bobby Jo Bishop said.

Animal control had picked him up as a stray. Legacy rescue got him out of a shelter.

"I don't know where he went,” Brian Bishop said. “It's baffling. Someone had him for a year. Thank God they took care of him. He's the same sweet dog as when we lost him."

"This is what it's all about," said Kim Ashley, rescue volunteer. Ashley said of the 1,500 dogs they've saved, Jake is just the fourth to be reunited with his family and maybe the first to celebrate New Years.

"Jake, I missed you," Bobby Jo Bishop said as she kissed the dog.

Source: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Dog-and-owners-reunited-after-two-years-apart-80486062.html#