Carter Licata and his dog, Piper recently experienced quite the Christmas miracle.
The 2-year-old pug is very, very close with Carter, even though she shares her love with everyone in the family.
April Licata, Carter’s mom, told The Dodo, “It was love at first sight for the two of them.”
But the family’s holiday season nearly took a tragic turn when the unthinkable happened and Piper vanished.
Last month, Licata let Piper and her other dog outside to go potty. However, when she opened the door again, Piper was nowhere to be seen.
The family searched everywhere. They did everything they could by reaching out to neighbors and community groups, as well as posting all across social media. The family was hopeful, but as the days turned into weeks, they began to fear that they’d never see their beloved Piper again.
“We were all sick,” Licata said. “The older kids wanted nothing to do with decorating the Christmas tree and it was a very somber Thanksgiving for them.”
Then, one day, Licata received a Facebook message from the Genesee County Animal Shelter. A dog who matched Piper’s description had been turned into the shelter by an anonymous person.
“My husband and I were going out to dinner and honestly, there was an outcry of joy in the truck,” Licata said. “We were shocked and elated!”
Carter was out of town at the time that Licata and her husband got the good news about Piper, so they decided to keep it to themselves and surprise him. Meanwhile, Piper spent her days leading up to reunion day wandering around in search of Carter.
Then the huge moment arrived.
When Carter saw Piper in the front seat of their truck, bedazzled in bows, the boy immediately broke down crying.
Piper’s tail went crazy when she spotted him and as soon as he stepped in the truck, she jumped in his arms, licking him hastily.
The video of the reunion is so touching.
The family couldn’t be happier to have Piper back again, and just in the nick of time for Christmas.
Licata wrote on Facebook, “My son loves his dog so much, was sick while she was gone, and tonight she’s sleeping next to him again. What a Christmas miracle for our family.”
Hopefully, they will never have to be separated again.
