No one is quite sure how a Pomeranian from California ended up on the side of a Tampa highway, but Lauren Johnson is certainly glad she did.
The pup, Tessie, has been her best friend for years.
- Tessie, a Pomeranian from California, was found along a Tampa highway
- Authorities tracked her via her microchip
- Tessie and her human, Lauren, were reunited after more than a year apart
Johnson, 21, said when she was in middle school she saved up her money babysitting to adopt Tessie, 11. The dog helped her through the aches and pains of teenage years.
“She’s been my best friend through middle school,” she said. “Since I was in the seventh grade.”
When Johnson moved into a different home that didn’t allow pets, a family friend agreed to take care of Tessie.
Johnson, though, was still very involved in the dog’s life. She would visit Tessie frequently and help with pet bills. Eventually, that friend moved to Florida.
It wasn't long before Johnson’s mother got a call that the dog had been found on the side of a highway in Tampa.
Johnson was shocked and still isn’t quite sure what happened.
“I tried to get in contact with them to see what happened,” she said, “but the number was different so I couldn’t talk to them.”
The person who found Tessie along the highway brought the dog to the Hillsborough County Pet Resources Center. A quick scan of Tessie’s microchip brought up Johnson’s mother’s name and number.
As the college student made arrangements to fly across the country to pick up her dog, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay cared for the Pomeranian.
“I’m really glad we microchipped her,” she said. “If we didn’t, then I would’ve never gotten reconnected with her.”
When Johnson came to the Humane Society Saturday morning, she hoped her dog would recognize her after more than a year apart.
“If not, we can rekindle the flame,” she said.
Tessie recognized Johnson right away and started licking the tears off her face. She stayed on Johnson’s lap, rolling over for belly rubs.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay offers microchips for $15.