DOWNEY – It was a lucky day for a wayward pooch found wandering in the city of Downey last Saturday.

The 4-year-old white Poodle was rescued from a busy intersection near Florence Avenue. When the SEAACA animal control officer scanned the frightened canine for a microchip, his handheld scanner chirped, displaying a microchip number which allowed the animal care agency to reach the owner.

Raquel Rodriguez, of Long Beach, was identified as the owner. Reached by SEAACA officials, she said she had lost the dog more than three years ago.

“She said the dog was just a puppy when it became missing from her home almost 3 1/2 years ago from the city of Bell,” said Aaron Reyes, director of operations for SEAACA.

Rodriguez was accompanied by her 4-yearold sonl, Joshua, when they picked up the dog on Tuesday.

“It seemed like the dog, named Princess, recognized both of them immediately,” Reyes said.

After the required paperwork, Princess left SEAACA with Rodriguez and Joshua.

“Mrs. Rodriguez told staff she had given up long ago on finding Princess. She said her mother-in-law, who puppy sat from time to time, was distraught and drove the neighborhood looking for any signs of Princess,” said Reyes. “She said they checked the animal shelter and looked for posted signs for months, to no avail.”

“Microchips reunite pets with their families and withstand the test of time,” Reyes added. “Princess is living proof of that.”

Microchip services are offered at nominal fees at SEAACA and other local shelters and veterinary clinics.

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Published: November 13, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 30