Remarkable Recovery: Lost Dog Reunited at Atlanta Airport After 3 Weeks!

In a remarkable turn of events, a dog that went missing at the world’s busiest airport three weeks ago has been discovered alive and is set to be reunited with her owner. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport officials took to Twitter on Sunday to announce the news. According to NBC News, the 6-year-old Chihuahua mix named Maia was found “hiding near the North Cargo facilities.” The airport stated that despite being tired, Maia appears to be in good health and has been taken to a vet before her expected return home. The ordeal began on August 18 when Maia managed to escape from her carrier on an active runway while being transported to a pet facility, as reported by the Washington Post.

The custody of the dog had been handed to Delta Airlines as her owner, Paula Rodriguez, a 25-year-old resident of the Dominican Republic, was denied entry to the US due to an incorrect tourist visa. Rodriguez had intended to visit friends in California and had a layover in Atlanta. After spending the night in immigration detention, she had to fly back to Santo Domingo the next day without Maia because airline workers claimed they couldn’t locate the dog. Days later, she received the devastating news that Maia had escaped. CNN reports that Rodriguez sent her mother to aid in the search for Maia at the vast airport.

Delta spokesperson Drake Castaneda informed the Post that airline staff spent weeks tirelessly searching for Maia, even resorting to using night-vision goggles at times. “We are grateful for the teamwork that led to finding our customer’s dog,” stated Castaneda. “Delta is working diligently to reunite the dog with our customer as soon as possible.” Rodriguez expressed her elation on social media, saying she is “over the moon.” (Read more uplifting news stories.)