‘Poor pup’ found struggling on a Texas street. But her story is ‘a tale of triumph’

When an animal care officer spotted an elderly chihuahua on a Texas city’s street, they knew she needed immediate help.

“The poor pup seemed to be struggling, showing signs of stiffness, and was noticeably underweight,” the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services said on Facebook. “Coco, as she would soon be known, was covered in fleas and dirt.”

The officer picked the dog up and scanned her for a microchip, according to an Oct. 15 Facebook post. That’s when they learned Coco had been missing for two years.

“Coco’s family was overwhelmed with emotion, both relieved and heartbroken to learn about the hardships Coco had endured during her time on the streets,” the city department said. “But this story has a silver lining — a tale of triumph over adversity.”

Coco has been reunited with her family, officials said, and she “can now spend her golden years in the warmth and comfort of her forever home.”

Microchips are tiny data chips that can be placed under the skin of pets using a needle, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The chips contain identification numbers that can be used to help find a lost pet’s owners.

A study published in 2009 found “microchipped animals are far more likely to be returned to their owners,” the AVMA said.