The Reunion: Missing Dog Returns Home After 3 Years Missing

This is Ayana Kelly and her dog Gucci (picture taken from The Virginian-Pilot), being reunited after what would seem like eons on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

Three years ago, the Kelly family (Ayana, her husband and four children) felt like they lost a piece of themselves after Gucci went missing. Gucci, an American pit bull terrier, was nowhere to be found after Ayana and her family noticed he wasn't in their San Antonio, Texas yard. This all took place about two weeks before they were to move back to Virginia.

Devastated, Ayana and her family went in search for Gucci. Fliers were plastered all over the neighborhood and search parties set out in hopes of finding the lost 'family member'. With no luck, Ayana had a strong inclination that someone took him.

Gucci came into their lives just two years ago, in 2011, before he went missing.
Ayana told the The Virginian Post "It was a long, depressing feeling, like an empty void you just can't fill"
A feeling most pet owners can empathize with and also fear that one day they will feel that same void.

However, all was not lost as the Kelly's life was about to change. Ayana's husbad, Gary, got a call from a San Antonio animal shelter saying Gucci was there. Gucci, luckily for her and the Kellys, had a microchip implant.

They were told by the shelter that someone had cared for him for a while but could not anymore and eventually brought him to the shelter.

The drive to San Antonio was a far drive and so she hired a Rhode Island based animal rescue group, For The Love Of Paws R.I Rescue and Transport.

Being warned that she won't be getting the same dog she had three years ago as it seemed that he may have been used for breeding or was abused.

But after coming through the door Gucci seemed like his old self with Ayana holding back tears said " He's really walking through my door"

Watch below about the reunion, tear jerker indeed