An Arizona man’s long-lost companion has returned home after eight years apart. Paul Guilbeault, a local photographer, was reunited with his Miniature Doberman Pinscher, Damion, in a heartwarming story that spanned states and years. The reunion was initiated by a phone call from the American Kennel Club, informing Guilbeault that his lost dog had been found over a thousand miles away in Oklahoma City.
Dog immediately recognizes owner despite being away for 8 years
For Paul Guilbeault, the news seemed too good to be true. Damion, his beloved miniature Doberman pinscher, had been missing since a fateful stop in Oklahoma City in 2017. While on a cross-country drive back to Arizona, Damion had run away. The canine evaded all attempts to find him despite Guilbeault’s extended stay and diligent search efforts. Flyers, social media posts, and community outreach all turned up empty.
Fast forward to the end of 2024, when Rick Chambers, an Oklahoma City resident, found a stray dog wandering near his home — per AZCentral. Although the dog appeared skinny, signs indicated that someone had been sporadically caring for him. Concerned about the dog’s condition, Chambers took him to a local veterinarian, where a microchip scan revealed the dog’s true identity as Damion.
Guilbeault was initially skeptical when contacted by the American Kennel Club, fearing it might be a scam. But as he soon discovered, the call was genuine. Overjoyed and emotional, Guilbeault and his husband Julian wasted no time and embarked on a 14-hour drive back to Oklahoma City to retrieve Damion.
Upon their arrival, the emotional reunion proved that the bond between man and dog can withstand even the longest separations. Damion’s tail wagged furiously, and he showed undeniable signs of recognition, dispelling any doubts about his memory of Guilbeault. Though visibly older and now resembling a Chihuahua more than a Doberman — according to Guilbeault — Damion’s spirit was unmistakably the same.
The years apart did leave their mark. Damion now eats less and bears the physical signs of aging, but he has adjusted well to his new life with Guilbeault’s two other dogs. To Guilbeault’s delight, Damion even recognized his parents’ house, exhibiting a joyful familiarity upon arrival.
