A woman was reunited with her beloved pet dog completely by chance, having been looking for an animal to adopt online and seeing a photo of her old friend.
Aisha Nieves was separated by Kovu back in 2019, when a car hit the fence of her house in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and he escaped.
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When she got home from work, her four-legged pal was gone, and she searched frantically for him.
Speaking to WFMZ's 69 News, she said: "He was my baby. He would go with me everywhere. He would sleep in my bed.
"Literally, the definition of a man's best friend - well, in my case, woman!"
Eventually, Nieves checked with the Lehigh County Humane Society, desperately hoping he had been handed in - but she was too late.
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She continued: "I showed them a picture, and they're like, 'Oh, that's Ash. He was just adopted not that long ago.'"
Nieves was understandably heartbroken, as there was nothing anyone could do, and more than two years went by.
But one day, a miracle happened when she found herself scrolling through the Humane Society's adoptable dogs page online.
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Even though years had passed, Nieves still recognised Kovu looking up at her from an image.
She said: "He had a scar right over his right eye.
"It's not that noticeable anymore, but in the picture they had, you could see it."
Nieves said she felt nervous about seeing Kovu, worrying that he may not remember her, but within seconds it became clear their loving bond was still there.
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"We locked eyes and I seen his smile and he started wagging his tail," she said, explaining that it was like they had never been apart.
"So I automatically go on the floor, I get down and get ready because I know he's going to jump on me.
"As soon as he started coming, he started squealing and screaming and yelling and jumping on me, kissing me."
She added: "I love him so much, like I'm just so happy he's back."
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According to the Associated Press, Nieves got Kovu - who was named after the character in The Lion King 2 - in 2014, when he was just seven weeks old.
After vanishing in May 2019, he was found weeks later by the Lehigh County Humane Society, with director of development Deirdre Snyder saying: "Our staff named him 'Ash'.
"He needed to be treated for fleas, was missing hair on his hind end and had inflammation. He was treated with antibiotics and bathed with a special medical shampoo. He was in our shelter for about four months and then adopted out to a family Oct. 25, 2019.
"On June 12 of this year, the family returned, stating they were facing possible eviction and needed to surrender him.
"We accepted him and waived the surrender fee. Kovu was in good health."
Six days later, Nieves spotted Kovu's picture and got in touch, telling the Humane Society she was on her way.
Posting a photo of their reunion on Facebook, the Humane Society wrote: "Upon seeing his long-lost mom, the previously shy and scared Kovu let out the most excited squeal we have ever heard!"
Featured Image Credit: WFMZ