Detroit Dog Reunited with Family After Four Years

This Christmas brought a heartwarming miracle for one Detroit-area family. Toby, a dog who went missing four years ago, is finally back with his loved ones after being spotted online at Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue in Belleville. Originally surrendered to the shelter when his previous owner had to enter long-term memory care, Toby — then renamed Ziggy — became the rescue’s longest-staying resident at 387 days.

Life at the Shelter

Shelter life was taking a toll on Toby. According to the rescue staff, he barely lifted his head when visitors walked in. “Over a year passed, and we couldn’t understand how such a gentle, affectionate dog was still here,” the staff said. “We tried everything to help him feel safe, but he was waiting for something he couldn’t name.”

Despite the care he received, the days in the shelter were wearing him down, making him appear withdrawn and sad. The rescue team knew they needed to find him a home quickly to improve his quality of life.

The Social Media Miracle

The reunion all began with a simple Facebook post. A photo of Toby, then called Ziggy, looking at Christmas tree ornaments caught the attention of his original owner, Felicia Fritz. She immediately recognized the markings that matched her dog from when he was a puppy.

“I scrolled like that to just close my phone, and he was right there on my phone,” Fritz recalled. She sent the shelter old photos of Toby, and after an in-person meeting, the staff knew without a doubt that Ziggy was Toby.

A Christmas to Remember

The reunion was emotional for everyone involved. Toby wagged his tail for the first time in years as he returned to his family, and tears were shed on all sides. Fritz told WXYZ-TV the moment as surreal: “Like a whole sense of my family’s complete, it didn’t even feel real, honestly. I lost all faith for a long time, and when I found him, it was like, okay.”

Krissy Powe, board member at Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue, emphasized the role of social media in reuniting pets with families. “Sharing is everything. The ability for people to promote animals online is huge. Literally, hitting that share could be the one that ends up finding an animal a home.”

Toby’s New Holiday Season

Now microchipped and surrounded by love, Toby is spending the holidays where he belongs — with the family that never forgot him. Fritz shared, “This is one I’ll never forget, my kids will never forget. I am so blessed, and it’s something that money cannot buy.”

A Reminder

Stories like Toby’s highlight the importance of rescues, microchipping, and spreading the word about shelter pets online.