Lost for 4 Years, Found by Love:
(Rome the Bulldog’s Incredible Journey Home)
It’s the kind of reunion that feels like something out of a movie—a story of heartbreak, hope, and a homecoming no one saw coming.
Rome, a gentle English bulldog from California, vanished from his family’s backyard in January 2021. His heartbroken family searched desperately—hanging posters, knocking on doors, and even filing police reports. Days turned into months, and months into years. But not once did they give up hope.
Then, in February this year, something incredible happened.
Thousands of miles away, in Austin, Texas, a kind soul found Rome tied to the gate of Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) alongside a tiny Chihuahua. He had no tags, no name, just a weary face and tired eyes. But when APA! scanned him for a microchip, a surprise was waiting.
In fact, Rome had two microchips—one of them still registered to his original family.
When the shelter contacted the owners, they were stunned. Their beloved dog—missing for over four years—was alive and safe. Emotions poured out. There were tears, screams of joy, and disbelief. Without a second thought, the family packed up and drove over 1,000 miles to Texas.
The reunion? Nothing short of magical.
“The moment they saw each other, it was tearful, emotional, and full of joy,” said a representative from APA!. “Rome was finally back with the people who never stopped loving him.”
Now, Rome is heading home to California—back to the life he was stolen from, and back to the hearts that never let him go.
Experts say pets with microchips are three times more likely to find their way home. APA! urges all pet owners to keep microchip information updated—it could make all the difference.
As Rome’s family put it best:
“We are a ball of emotion right now. To feel that empty space filled again is just… beyond words.”
Credit: KVUE for content | Pic: ‘Tearful and full of joy’
