In an astonishing tale of resilience and technology, a Florida family has been reunited with their beloved dog, Apollo, after he was found more than 1,000 miles away in New York. The 13-year-old dog’s journey has left his family with many questions, but ultimately, it’s a story of joy and relief.
The adventure began on April 25 when Apollo went missing from his home in Ocala, Florida. Surveillance footage showed a woman approaching neighbors and asking if the dog belonged to them. When told no, she reportedly took Apollo and drove away in a white car. Despite the evidence, authorities initially determined that no crime had occurred.
The mystery of Apollo’s journey
For nearly two months, the Josey family searched for Apollo, hoping for any sign of their missing pet. Their breakthrough came when they received an email from Apollo’s microchip company, HomeAgain, informing them that his chip had been scanned at an animal shelter in Hempstead, on Long Island, New York.
The family was shocked to learn that Apollo had traveled such a great distance. “My dog has been in New York and neither one of us have been in New York,” said Vera Josey. The shelter staff informed the family that Apollo had been found wandering the streets by a good Samaritan, who took him to a local police station before he was transferred to the shelter.
The puzzle of the name tag
Adding to the mystery, Apollo was found wearing a tag with the name “Yuri.” Vera Josey was quick to clarify that her dog’s name is Apollo, not Yuri. The different tag has raised questions about Apollo’s journey and who might have been responsible for his cross-country adventure.
The family plans to reunite with Apollo soon. Nicholas Josey will fly to New York to bring Apollo home, with the help of a relative who lives nearby. The costs of flights, shelter fees, and other expenses are expected to total around $1,000, and the family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover these costs.
A heartwarming reunion
Despite the unanswered questions, the Josey family is overjoyed to have Apollo back home. The reunion will also introduce Apollo to the newest member of the household, Nicholas Jr., who was born while Apollo was missing. “I can’t wait for those two to get acclimated with one another,” Vera Josey said.
The family is also looking forward to celebrating Apollo’s upcoming 14th birthday in August. “He’ll have a party,” Vera Josey said. “We’ll do a party.” The celebration will mark not only Apollo’s birthday but also his safe return home.
Unanswered questions and next steps
While the family is grateful for Apollo’s safe return, they still have many questions about his journey. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has not yet responded to inquiries about whether Apollo’s discovery in New York changes their initial determination that no crime had occurred.
Vera Josey expressed her desire to know more about the person who took Apollo. “I still would like to know who that person was that took him because it’s costing us to get him back,” she said. The family hopes that by sharing their story, they can raise awareness about the importance of microchipping pets and the potential risks they face.
As Apollo settles back into family life, the Joseys are focusing on the joy of their reunion and the many happy moments ahead. Their story serves as a reminder of the incredible bond between pets and their families and the lengths to which people will go to bring their beloved companions home.
