An eight-year-old autistic boy has been reunited with his therapy dog three months after it went missing.
Video posted online over the weekend captured the emotional reunion between Connor Richmond and his Chihuahua named Layla, who went missing shortly after the family moved from Georgia to Virginia in August.
READ MORE: New Christmas event gives children with autism unique experience
On Saturday, Connor joined family members at a Virginia pet store with the intention of picking out a new therapy companion.
That’s when the boy’s mother, Sandra Bowe, revealed her big surprise.
“This was the doggy I was thinking about adopting,” Bowe can be heard telling Connor in the video, as she removed her hands from over his face.
The video captured the boy’s disbelief.
“Is that Layla?” Connor can be heard asking his mother.
It took no time for the two to reconnect, as Connor was greeted with a flurry of licks from Layla.
Bowe said she spent weeks searching for Layla, knowing how much she helped her son with anxiety, loneliness and companionship.
“I’d like to say I never gave up, but it was Connor who didn’t let me give up on finding her,” she said.
Despite tireless efforts making calls and searching online, Bowe received a “miracle” in the mail that led her to find Layla.
READ MORE: Missing cat found 10 years later, reunited with Calgary owner
“I had received an ad in the mail,” said Bowe. “In there it had the local pet shelter’s website on it. I searched the site and found their adoptable dogs link and it took me to pet finder and I saw her there.”
Layla somehow travelled nearly 50 kilometres from the family’s home when she was found and taken to the local animal shelter.
Bowe is now hopeful life for her son can return to normal now that Layla is home.
Bowe posted a photo to Facebook on Saturday showing Connor celebrating Layla’s return by shopping for treats and toys.
Comments