MONROE — Rosemary Murphy often wondered what happened to Mia, how her long lost Chihuahua-poodle mix was faring.
It had been five years since the Sultan woman left her canine companion with a friend to watch for a few weeks.
A neighbor of her friend took a liking to Mia. One day, the neighbor and Mia disappeared with no forwarding address.
“I was heartbroken,” Murphy said. “I didn’t think I would see her again.”
Last week, thanks to technology, a Good Samaritan, the help of two animal clinics and the Monroe Police Department, Mia and Murphy were reunited.
On Tuesday, Mia was found at the Monroe Laundromat, but she had no collar or tags to identify her. The woman who found her asked around, but couldn’t find an owner. The dog was taken to the Cascade Animal Clinic, which determined it had an unregistered microchip that was implanted by Kindness Animal Clinic, also in east Snohomish County.
Kindness, in turn, worked with Monroe animal control officer LaDonna Whalen. She contacted Murphy, who was eager to get Mia back.
At the police station Tuesday, Whalen watched intently when Mia was introduced to Murphy.
For a moment, she was tentative and shy.
When Murphy called her by her name, Mia instantly wriggled with recognition.
“She just showered her with dog kisses,” Whalen said.
On the drive home, Mia curled up in Murphy’s lap. She has stayed close since.
Murphy wonders what the past five years were like for Mia. Her fur was matted and she smelled bad. A volunteer plans to give Mia a good grooming.
Mia’s is one of many reunions Whalen has witnessed over her 15 years on the job.
None have occurred after such a long separation.
It is another reminder of the value of technology.
“If there’s a microchip number, I can find the owner,” she said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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