Florida man reunited with dog lost in California 7 months ago

A Florida man who lost his service dog in California had a tearful reunion with his pup after believing he may never see him again, seven months after their last encounter. 

On Wednesday, Dean Hamilton was reunited with his dog Angus at the Sacramento International Airport thanks to the kindness of strangers who paid for him to fly out and reunite with his beloved dog. 

Hamilton an Orlando, Florida resident, had been traveling through California for medical treatment back in May when he was separated from 'Goosie' in Tulare County. Even as the months passed by, Hamilton said he never fully lost hope. 

'It's a Christmas miracle, this is the best thing ever,' Hamilton said upon being reunited with Angus in California.  

'This is my best friend and just...the best thing ever,' the pup owner said.

It was an emotional reunion for Dean Hamilton and his pup Angus who went missing in May

Hamilton spent the months after reaching out to California animal shelters and nonprofits, asking for assistance in looking for the missing pup 

Hamilton's car had broken down while traveling on Highway 99 and Goosie, distracted by food trucks, made a run for it as the man was making repairs. 

Desperate to find his beloved pup, Hamilton told local outlets he spent 'every last dime' he had trying to stay in the Golden State searching for Angus, even after he had to begin sleeping in his car. 

The Florida man lived told WTSP he lived in his car for two months until he ran out of money and had to travel back to Florida to take care of his mom. 

Even after returning to his home state, though, he continued the search for Angus. 

Hamilton spent the months after reaching out to California animal shelters and nonprofits, asking for assistance in looking for the missing pup. 

That search continued until he got the call: Angus is alive and ready to come home.

Officials in Clovis, California sent this photo of Goosie to Hamilton after letting the pet owner know his dog was alive and well seven months after they were separated 

'I mean, I was shaking,' he told FOX 35. 'I was shaking.'

Angus had made his way to Clovis, California and had been located by local officials who ran his microchip and reached out to Hamilton. 

'When we collect dogs from in field, we try to return them right away, and the chip is a really helpful thing that we use,' said Officer Christopher Hernandez who reached out to the Florida dog owner. 

The one issue, however, was getting Angus back to Florida with his owner. 

'The distance from Florida to here, I've never seen a case from our division have one of those,' said Officer Hernandez told FOX 35. 

Hamilton said he spent two months in California and spent every dime he had trying to stay in the state and search for the animal as long as he could 

In an act of desperation, Hamilton turned to a Facebook group for truckers who are looking for and have found lost pets. 

In a lengthy post, Angus' owner explained how he had lost his animal and was looking for suggestions on how to get the animal home. 

'We are asking if anyone is willing to help us be reunited, by transporting him from L.A., CA to the Orlando, FL area as a volunteer or for just the cost of basic needs (food, blanket,carrier)?' the man wrote. 

'My family doesn't have much but they are willing to provide what they can to bring Angus back east, home in my arms,' Hamilton wrote. 

Hamilton had posted this photo of Goosie to a Facebook group asking for help bringing the pet back to Florida after he was found in California 

Thankfully, Hamilton's prayers and requests were heard in the form of You Will Be Found Dogs.

The organization paid for a flight for Dean to pick up his beloved pup in California, free of charge. 

Shari Balfore who works with You Will Be Found Lost Dogs was even there for the emotional reunion.   

'His tail was wagging, wagging, wagging. It was like they'd never been apart,' Balfore told FOX 35. 'It was just heartwarming. Goosie knew him right away. It was just so emotional.'

Dean Hamilton and Angus were met by Shari Balfore with You Will Be Found Dogs who helped organize his flight to Sacramento from Florida

Hamilton described Goosie as his 'best friend' and called the reunion a 'Christmas miracle' 

Wild Angels Canine also stepped in and helped Hamilton and Angus with a ride home after the flight back to Florida. 

According to WTSP, a mother and daughter drove more than 90 minutes to the Orlando airport just to pick the man and his best friend up. 

They also came equipped with a bright pink handmade sign welcoming them home. 

As for what he is taking away from this experience, he is urging any and all pet owners to get their animals chipped in case something like this happens to them. 

'Get your pets chipped,' said Hamilton. 'For instances like this, he was taken and had I not known that his chip was red-flagged, we wouldn't be here today.'