CLEVELAND (WJW) — It was supposed to be a fresh start.
In 2019, Danielle Jackson made the decision to leave Cleveland behind and start anew in Georgia. However, her plans met an emotional setback when her beloved dog, Queenie, vanished shortly before the move.
“Panic set in because I originally got her from a recommendation from my therapist,” Danielle said. “So losing her was devastating.”
Danielle postponed the moving arrangements, canvassed every street, and remained an extra week, clinging to the hope that Queenie would be found. Unfortunately, Queenie never appeared, and the relocation had to proceed, forcing Danielle to face the tough reality of leaving without her dog.
For six years, there was no word of Queenie’s whereabouts. That changed last week when Cleveland Animal Control received a report about a stray dog, prompting animal control officer Jenna Halaska to investigate.
“I noticed the dog had tags from 2016,” Halaska said.
She brought the dog to the shelter, scanned her microchip and couldn’t believe the result. It was Queenie.
The dog was still registered to Danielle, who had always kept her contact info updated just in case.
This kind of reunion is incredibly rare. Six years with no clues and no sightings, but somehow Queenie survived.
This week, she came home.
Bruce Campbell with City Dogs said a volunteer made it her mission to reunite them.
“Lo and behold, one of our volunteers has a husband that is a pilot,” Campbell said. “They worked out all the logistics and just yesterday, they flew down to Georgia.”
At the airport, Danielle was waiting and the second she saw Queenie, the emotions took over.
“I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ Someone was like, ‘Are you her mom?’ and I’m like, ‘Yes!’ I had to sit down a minute because my heart was racing,” Danielle said.
It’s a love that survived time, distance and a whole lot of hope. Now, Queenie is home where she belongs.
“Even with a new baby, there is no aggression,” Danielle said. “She is even bringing toys, and drops it and just stares at her. I have to tell her, ‘She isn’t ready to play with you yet, but we’ll get there.’”
Officer Halaska said they still don’t know how Queenie survived all those years apart. But one thing is certain: she’s safe, healthy and finally back with the person who never gave up on her.
