No pet parent wants to live through the nightmare of having an animal go missing, but it’s a terrifying situation that happens more frequently than anyone wants to believe. Fortunately, there are also countless selfless people in the world who will stop at nothing to help a fur baby get home. Whether it’s a generous police officer or a search-and-rescue dog that locates the lost pet, many lucky families like Isabela Christyna’s reunite with their four-legged friends thanks to local heroes.
After Isabela’s family dog, Princess the sweet Shih-Tzu, ran off to chase something one October night, she became lost in the thick woods near her New Jersey home. The family thought of a clever trick to narrow down the pup’s location—property in the back of the woods owned by a man named Justin—but there was still no sight of her there. Luckily, all their efforts came to fruition when Justin came to their door later that night with a very special surprise.
Pass the tissues, please! This is the most moving moment to witness, especially when Princess’s dad can’t contain his joy and gratitude. From Mom’s sobbing to the kids’ excitement, it’s crystal clear that Princess is the heart and soul of their family.
Although a few commenters were quick to judge, thousands of people flooded the found pup’s family with support and love. Let’s be honest, though: the real hero here is Justin!
Related: Moment Lost Shih-Tzu Casually Returns Home After 6 Days ‘Like Nothing Happened’ Has People Amazed
“It’s so nice to see neighbors helping/looking out for each other,” @aquaman_73 commented. “So happy you got Princess back!”
Anyone who’s raised a Shih-Tzu dog can understand just how much this family missed their girl. Shih-Tzus are companions through and through, especially when they’re adored as much as Princess is. To make matters worse, a storm was headed toward New Jersey on the night she went missing, and her poor parents were out looking for her until 3 am.
Finding Lost Dogs
Dog parents can feel the pain on Isabela’s face as she searches desperately for Princess. Having a small dog go missing during a storm is an absolute nightmare, but to make matters worse, she had just come home from the groomer and was not wearing her collar.
Even though scouring the neighborhood didn’t help them find her, they came up with a clever solution that ultimately led them to the right place. Their other dog, a Rottweiler dog named Dimba, got his sister’s scent from her collar and toys, and he led them through the woods to Justin’s property. Although they spent hours searching to no avail, Justin came to their house that same night with the shaken-up pup in his arms.
Thankfully, Princess only had a few ticks and scrapes after spending 30 hours in the woods. She’s back home safe with her grateful family, and everyone can breathe a sigh of relief.
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This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Nov 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.