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Woman Finds Her Lost Dog After Nine Years
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In this image provided by Judith Monarrez, her pet dog Gizmo is seen cradled in her arms, Sunday, July 21, 2024. Monarrez was reunited with the dog on July 17, 2024, more than nine years after it went missing in Las Vegas. (Judith Monarrez via AP)

Woman Finds Her Lost Dog After Nine Years

July 25th, 2024

Judith Monarrez experienced an extraordinary reunion with her beloved dog Gizmo, who disappeared from her family's home in Las Vegas when she was 28 years old. In the intervening nine years, Judith's life underwent various transformations: she moved out, earned a master's degree, and embarked on a teaching career. Despite these changes and the passage of time, Judith never gave up hope of finding her canine companion. On a fateful day in July 2024, Judith received an email that would alter her life: Gizmo had been found. Overwhelmed with emotion, she rushed to the veterinary hospital where Gizmo, now an 11-year-old dog with a limp and signs of aging, awaited her. Their eyes met, and at the sound of his name, Gizmo responded with a familiar gesture that confirmed his identity to Judith. The touching reunion was set against the backdrop of a new city ordinance in Las Vegas mandating the microchipping of pets, an action that Judith credited for the return of her long-lost friend. The physical and emotional scars that Gizmo bore as evidence of their time apart couldn't dampen the joy of their new beginning. Although wondering about the hardships Gizmo faced, Judith and her family are now dedicated to giving him the love and care that they had reserved for him throughout his absence, thankful for the second chance to be together.
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šŸ’­ Discussion Questions


1
. How did Judith Monarrez's life change in the time period that Gizmo was missing, and what impact do you think this had on their reunion?
2
. What role did the new city ordinance play in the reunion of Judith and Gizmo, and how do you think this legislative change will affect pet owners and animals in the community?
3
. Reflecting on Gizmo's return with signs of aging and a limp, what are the possible implications for pet owners to consider about the well-being of lost pets over extended periods of time?

šŸ“– Vocabulary


šŸŒ Cultural context


Las Vegas is a major city in the United States known for its vibrant entertainment industry. The city has laws like pet microchipping to aid lost pet recovery. Reuniting with lost pets is a heartwarming event in American culture, often celebrated by communities.

šŸ§  Further reading


Travel document
A travel document is an official paper or booklet that is provided by a national government or an international body under particular agreements. This allows individuals to navigate through border control systems during international travel. Their main role is to assure foreign governments that the person holding the document can return to the country that issued it, and they often come in a booklet shape to collect various stamps and visas. The passport is the most widely recognized type of travel document, offering holders certain advantages, such as the ability to enter some countries without a visa. While passports are the most usual travel documents, there are others designed for people who cannot get a traditional passport, like stateless individuals. They might qualify for special documents like a refugee travel document or a "Nansen passport," which are recognized by certain nations. When crossing borders, authorities expect travelers to show valid travel documents to confirm their identity, their nationality or permanent resident status, and their right to enter the destination. Passports are the most familiar travel documents, containing personal details and space for border officials in various territories to place stamps or visas. Some countries also allow the use of identity cards for border passage, which include the holder's personal information. Importantly, travel document requirements and regulations vary greatly from one nation to another and depend on the specific border control policies in place.

Pet
Companion animals, more commonly known as pets, are animals kept not for work or scientific purposes but for the enjoyment and company of their human owners. They range from the traditionally loved dogs and cats to smaller creatures like rodentsā€”including gerbils and hamstersā€”and extend to birds, reptiles, various aquatic species, amphibians, and even bigger animals like horses. These animals are often selected for their appealing looks, smartness, and engaging personalities, although sometimes people may adopt a pet out of kindness, such as giving a home to a stray. Having pets can lead to multiple advantages for their caretakers. For example, walking a dog can be a way to get exercise and social interaction for both the pet and the owner. More than just physical well-being, pets can provide vital companionship, particularly to those who live alone or older individuals who may not have much social contact. Furthermore, therapy animals, which are specially trained and brought to people in settings like hospitals or nursing homes, can assist in reaching various therapeutic goals. The choice to have pets can stem from the desire for companionship, security for one's home, or simply admiration of the animal's beauty. However, there are hindrances to pet ownership, notably the responsibilities and constraints it involves, such as caring for the pet during travel or having a busy schedule that offers little time to provide proper care. Additionally, the suitability of the living environment can be a concern. Fewer people avoid pets due to dislike ā€” the reasons are more practical in nature, connected to their capability to provide the appropriate level of care and attention the animal needs.

Pet recovery service
The fundamental aim of pet recovery service is to help pet owners reunite with their lost or stolen companions. These services are varied and cater to different situations where pets may not have an identification tag or do. For pets without tags, options range from online search platforms to employing specialized tactics such as bloodhounds, pet detectives, or community-alert systems that inform neighbors through automated phone calls. For animals with identification tags, there are several ways they can be tracked. Traditional tags may display essential details such as contact information or URLs that direct to databases managed by pet recovery organizations. More advanced tags might use QR codes that link to online records of the pet and their owner. Tattoo registries are another form of database services that support the recovery process. Electronic forms of pet identification have become increasingly popular. Collars can be equipped with electronic trackers which utilize GPS, radio, or Bluetooth technology to locate a lost pet. Some services under these contracts even include active recovery assistance, reducing the necessity for the pet to be found by someone. Additionally, there are devices that send out a call for help to people in the nearby area. Microchip implants, small identification devices inserted under the skin of pets, have been advocated since the 1990s as a durable, collar-free option for pet identification. These chips can be scanned by veterinarians, animal shelters, and certain individuals. In the United States, where the microchip industry is not regulated, various chip types have been developed, yet not all comply with international standards. Although different chips might have required distinct scanners in the past, there is now a movement towards universal readers that can detect and read multiple microchip types.