Feb 2, 2018 4 min read

After giving up her childhood pet seven years ago, Nicole Grimes of West Brownsville often thought about what had happened to her fluffy dog, Chloe Bear. As of Wednesday, she doesn’t have to wonder anymore.

Earlier this week, her friend posted on Facebook that she was trying to rehome an older dog named Chloe.

“It looked very similar to my puppy when I was little,” Grimes said. “So, on a whim, I said, ‘I’ll take her.'”

When she took Chloe to Clover Farm Veterinary Service in Richeyville Wednesday, a vet technician read to her a nine-digit number that confirmed her suspicions: 024 099 811.

It was Chloe’s chip number, identical to the chip number of the puppy from her childhood. Chloe had miraculously found her way home.

“I felt like I won the lottery,” Grimes said. “That was one of the most exciting moments of my life. I just never thought I’d see her again.”

Grimes said Chloe, now 11 years old, hasn’t changed much, aside from losing her teeth and shrinking and mellowing a bit. The first time the Pomeranian-poodle mix came home to Grimes, Grimes was 10 and Chloe was a rambunctious puppy.

Grimes said because she was an only child at the time, her grandmother, Jane Cecil, picked out Chloe to be a companion for her. Grimes and her mother, Michelle Bush, said they believe the reunion with Chloe is a sign from her grandmother, who died three years ago.

“I really loved this dog,” Grimes said. “She was a special gift for me.”

When Grimes was 14, her father, Mark Bush, got a job working from home, and Chloe was too loud and “yappy” during his work day. They took her to Washington Area Humane Society, and never knew what happened to her.

“My dad picked me up from school and Chloe was in the car,” Grimes said. “I knew that day was coming because he had been saying we needed to do it. I remember I was so sad and my stomach was nervous driving her there that day.”

Grimes said in the following years she always wondered about Chloe and would think about her on the dog’s birthday, Oct. 26.

Grimes said Chloe was taken in by an elderly couple and lived with them for years before they died. The family of the couple then passed Chloe on to a neighbor, who happened to be friends with Grimes on Facebook.

“What are the odds,” Grimes said. “I knew it was going to be her, I just knew it.”

Grimes said when she was first reunited with Chloe, the dog kept licking her face and was so comfortable with her. Grimes said she suspects Chloe knew who she was.

Grimes’ family didn’t believe it at first.

Mark didn’t think it could possibly be the same dog, but after spending some time with the prodigal pooch, he was convinced it was the same Chloe.

“She came right up to all of us,” he said. “We went through the old pictures of her to compare. It looks like she was treated well.”

Michelle Bush, wanting confirmation that it was the same dog, contacted the humane society to get the puppy Chloe’s chip number.

Kelly Proudfit, executive director of the humane society, said they were thrilled to be a part of Chloe’s reunion.

“It’s a crazy story,” she said. “It sounds like the dog must have recognized her, and dogs have amazing memories in that respect. It’s a great, happy ending.”

Chloe now lives with Grimes, her husband, Isaiah Grimes, and their 4-month-old daughter, Violet.

“She’s been so cuddly, and she fits right in here,” Grimes said. “It’s like a part of my childhood came back.”