Aisha Nieves got a huge surprise when she decided it was time to adopt a dog for her two boys.
While scrolling through the adoptable dogs at the Lehigh County Humane Society’s (LCHS) adoption webpage, she saw a very familiar face staring back at her. It was her beloved dog Kovu that she had lost two years earlier.
She froze when she saw the tan pit bull-Rottweiler mix that the shelter had named ‘Ash.’
At first, Aisha thought it couldn’t possibly be her dog. However, a tiny scar above his eye was the same one she remembered from when he got caught in the gate.
“Oh my God, that’s my baby, that’s Kovu!”
Aisha called the shelter to tell them that Kovu was her dog and asked them what she needed to do to bring him home. When she came to get him she was nervous that he may not remember her.
“We locked eyes…he started wagging his tail, so I automatically… I go on the floor I get down and get ready because I know he is going to jump on me.”
Aisha didn’t need to worry because as soon as Kovu was in the same room with her, he knew exactly who she was. Apparently, two years was no match for the bond they shared.
Kovu’s journey wasn’t an easy one after he went missing in May of 2019.
Aisha adopted the puppy from the Lehigh County Humaine Society at just 7 weeks old. Kovu lived with her until he went missing and eventually was found by LCHS. The puppy needed medical attention after weeks of being on his own.
The director of the Lehigh County Humaine Society, Deirdre Snyder, said Kovu needed antibiotics and a special medical shampoo.
When he was doing better Kovu was adopted by another family in October of 2019.
Fast forward two years later and Kovu was up for adoption again. The family that had taken him in were forced to return him to LCHS after facing eviction.
Kovu’s return to the shelter was his ticket back to Aisha and her boys.
At the shelter, Aisha’s happy reunion with Kovu is nothing short of a miracle.
Aisha told The Morning Call,
“He was screaming, trying to get away from the guy holding him and run to me. Then, he just jumped on me, and we started kissing and hugging. He sat on my lap. I told him, ‘Yeah, buddy, you’re going home. I’m so sorry this happened. Never again am I losing you.'”
“Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and that is likely the first thing that brings the recognition,” Snyder added, explaining it’s not unusual for a dog to recognize their owner after a long period of time. “There are many videos online of military personnel coming home after a long time away and their dog will recognize them with a similar joy and excitement that Kovu had for Aisha.”
Kovu and Aisha won’t likely be separated ever again.
The emotional reunion has touched many people that have heard of Kovu and Aisha’s story. It is a story of loyalty and strength and above all, love. Kovu is home now with the Nieves family and they are all looking forward to spending many happy years together.
Now watch the video of their emotional reunion.
