In a heartwarming but tragic story, Minion, a 15-year-old Bishon Frise from Arizona, has passed away just as he was reunited with his family after being missing for over a decade. The Crandall family of Glendale, Arizona, had adopted Minion when their children were just 8, 10, and 12 years old. However, Minion managed to escape from their backyard one day when the gate was left open, and despite their best efforts to find him, he never turned up. The family assumed the worst and eventually moved on, getting new dogs and watching their children grow up.

However, their lives were turned upside down when they received an unexpected call from a Maricopa County animal control officer in early September. It turned out that someone had found a stray dog and when Officer Allyssa Sanford scanned the dog's microchip, it was revealed to be Minion. Sanford, shocked by the length of time Minion had been missing, immediately reached out to the Crandalls, who were equally surprised and overjoyed at the news.

When Minion was brought back to his family, it was a bittersweet moment. The Crandalls were warned that he may not be the same playful puppy they remembered, but their fears were quickly dispelled when Minion recognized them and started wagging his tail. He immediately began playing with the other dogs in the house, fitting right back in like he had never been gone. The family took Minion to the vet for some minor health issues, including a much-needed dental procedure.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck during the dental procedure. Minion had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and could not wake up. The veterinarian suspected a stroke or heart attack, and the family made the difficult decision to put him down to end his suffering. Minion was buried under a tree in the family's backyard, where he had spent so many happy years.

The story of Minion's reunion and subsequent passing gained national attention, with Fox News Digital covering the original story. The Crandalls expressed their gratitude to Officer Sanford and emphasized the importance of microchipping pets. They believe that without the microchip, they would have never found Minion after all those years. Sanford echoed their sentiments, urging all pet owners to microchip their animals and keep their information updated.

Despite the tragedy, the Crandalls are grateful for the brief time they were able to spend with Minion again. They described him as a playful and loving dog who brought joy to their lives. They will cherish the memories of their reunion and remember Minion as a cherished member of their family.