Microchip Magic: How One Woman Reunited With Her Stolen Husky

Losing a pet is one of the deepest kinds of heartbreak there is — but for Gabrielle Hartley, that pain came with a small spark of hope that never faded.

In 2018, her one-year-old Siberian Husky, Luca, vanished after a scary break‑in at her Tampa home.

Seven years later, Luca walked back into her life in a way that feels like a blessing written in dog hair and tail wags.

It all began when Gabrielle returned from work one early morning and discovered her door had been forced open. Luca was gone.

She filed a police report, searched endlessly, and did something that not everyone does: she kept Luca’s microchip information up to date through PetKey.

That commitment would later become the thread that tied them back together.

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Fast forward to 2025: a Tampa police officer — Officer Bishop — spotted a husky wandering alone in the street.

The dog looked friendly, but he had no collar. The officer coaxed him into his cruiser, and when they scanned his microchip… everything clicked.

This was Luca.

Gabrielle got the call she’d prayed for: her dog was alive.

She rushed to the vet where Luca was being cared for, and the reunion was everything — tears, tail wags, and a very familiar name.

She told reporters that Luca remembered not just his name, but his old nickname, “Blue,” because of his striking blue eyes.

But the years apart had taken a heavy toll on him. When he was found, Luca was underweight, walking slowly, and clearly suffering.

Vets discovered a large growth that requires surgery, and he’s battling infections, broken teeth, and scars that tell a painful story.

Gabrielle believes that Luca was used for breeding — and then cruelly discarded when he became ill.

The way he was found, thin and hurt, supports that heartbreaking theory.

But despite everything, one of the most beautiful parts of their reunion was how he still trusted her.

Gabrielle said he crawled up on her bed, licked her hand, and looked at her like he knew he was finally home.

Now, she’s pouring all her energy into helping him heal.

She and a friend launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover Luca’s medical bills — surgery, therapy, checkups.

She’s determined to give him the second chance he deserves, filled with care, comfort, and lots of strawberries and peanut butter — two of his favorite treats.

Luca’s story is powerful for a lot of reasons: it highlights how important microchips can be, how persistence pays off, and how love doesn’t give up — even when the odds feel stacked against you.

For Gabrielle, this isn’t just about getting her dog back. It’s about healing. It’s about rebuilding trust.

It’s about making sure Luca knows he’s safe, loved, and no longer alone. And for Luca?

It’s finally home, where he can rest, recover, and show how grateful he is — in every soft lick, every gentle nudge, and every peaceful nap.

At its heart, this is a story of redemption: for Gabrielle, for Luca, and for a bond that time couldn’t break.

Here’s hoping his healing journey is just as beautiful and heartfelt as their reunion.