WHO says cats are the only ones who get nine lives?

Five years after going missing, a pet dachshund is back with her attentive family after she was discovered by an animal control officer 20 miles (32 km) from where she disappeared.

The beloved pooch, now 17 years old, was located in a parking lot in Norwich, Connecticut, the United States.

Lady was reunited with her loving owners, Rick and Michelle Riendeau, after the discovery of a microchip embedded in her.

“We thought she was gone,” Rick Riendeau said. “She’s the greatest dog we’ve ever had.”

The owners live in Brooklyn, Connecticut, 20 miles from Norwich. Despite having lost most of her hearing and sight, Lady was thrilled to be in the loving arms of her owners.

When Lady wandered off, Rick Riendeau feared she had been killed by wolves in a nearby wooded area or was just preparing to die.

He was especially thankful for the hard work of animal control Officer Donna Gremminger, who helped lead Lady back to the Riendeaus.

“They have to love what they do, and it must be tough work,” he said. “I’m sure it doesn’t always turn out with a happy ending like this.”

Lady became a member of the family in 2001 on a family trip to Arizona, Riendeau told the Norwich Bulletin.

“Our kids are in their 20s now, married with kids of their own,” said Riendeau. “I really hope she gets along with the grandkids.”

(SD-Agencies)