Even after nearly two years of looking for her missing pet, a woman never gave up hope. She saw her best friend of 12 years for the first time yesterday.
Diego, Iris Samaniego’s cat, had been missing since June of 2015. For the past 12 years, the flame-point Siamese has been with her loving companion.
Diego, the indoor cat, went AWOL while Iris’ father was visiting and crept out through the garage. “I put up signs all around town for nearly a year,” Iris explained.
When there were no signs of Diego, everyone assumed he was gone for good, save Iris, who refused to give up hope.
“I was at work and in between patients, I’m a vet tech, and something urged me to check out the website for animal friends of the valley, which is unusual for me.”
She was looking through the web when she noticed a familiar face. “When I saw his photo, I ran out of the office as quickly as I could.”
Iris and her sister, Crystal Sanmann, immediately recognized the cat at the shelter as being him.
“I felt amazing joy, calm, and happiness the instant I saw him because I knew he wasn’t dead.” Iris explained, “My gut always told me he was alive.”
She never wavered in her hunt for Diego, even when friends and relatives advised her to let go.
Before Diego went missing, the two were inseparable friends.
Diego is overjoyed to be back in his warm and welcoming home. “He was stressed at the shelter, but once we got him, he was completely normal.”
Diego grew up with Iris’ children as well. They were both startled to see who had returned when they got home from school.
“I finally located my 13-year-old cat after almost two years!” Iris expressed her gratitude by saying, “I can’t tell you how much joy this has brought our family.”
She had never considered giving up since the day Diego went missing. “I tracked him down!” “The kids were in tears of excitement.”
“Never give up looking for your pets. “This is the nicest Christmas gift she could have had,” Crystal exclaimed.
Take a look at this video of a heartwarming reunion:
