'Healthy, matted, and oh-so-happy to see us!' Alabama family reunites with dog missing for 2 years

DAPHNE, Alabama -- An Alabama family was elated when they reunited with their lost dog after he went missing almost two years ago, viral video shows.

Karen Elleard captured her children's tearful reunion when they greeted their long-lost pooch, Leroy, as they hopped off the bus on Jan. 9.

Video taken at their home in Daphne shows Elleard and her husband groom Leroy and cut off inches of matted fur.

Elleard said her now 7-year-old Coton de Tulear escaped out their back door in May 2021, prompting an exhaustive search effort around their community.

After months of looking and posting on social media, the Elleard family told the microchip company to mark Leroy as "lost."

Elleard received a call on Monday from the animal shelter informing her that Leroy was found and identified by his microchip.

Elleard said that Leroy was "healthy, matted, and oh-so-happy to see us!"

SEE ALSO:

Dog lost during Christmas Eve hike rescued from mountain, reunited with family

Dog "Nala" was rescued from a mountain in Ogden, Utah after she was separated from her owner during a Christmas Eve hike.

Lost dog named Mila reunited with owner after car thief swiped vehicle in East Downtown Houston

"I don't care about the car. I just want my dog back." The Jaguar XF has already been recovered, but there was no sign off the little Maltese Shih Tzu mix.

New York woman travels 1,000 miles to reunite with dog missing for 5 years

A New York woman traveled 1,000 miles to Henderson, Tennessee to reunite with her lost dog after 5 years.

'Like I won $1 million': Houston area family stunned their stolen dog 'Sheba' was found 5 years later

A Baytown family is stunned after their stolen German Shepherd 'Sheba' was found more than 600 miles away in Texas Panhandle.