Oklahoma City Family Reunited With Pet Lost in June Floods

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The severe flooding of Oklahoma City in June of 2010 left many families devastated, but four months later, one Oklahoma City family received a reunion that they said defines hope.

Gerry and Tajuanna McElyea lost their 7-year-old German shepherd, Lacie, on June 14, 2010, after floodwaters swept her away.

"She is family. She is like one of our kids," Gerry McElyea said.

The couple spent countless hours searching for Lacie. They searched on foot, by car and even put out dozens of flyers.

"Looking for her everywhere was pretty heartbreaking," Tajuanna McElyea said.

The couple said as months passed, they did not lose hope, and their faith in finding Lacie worked. The couple received a phone call from Oklahoma City Animal Welfare on Tuesday.

Officer Glendise Kindley was called to pick up a stray animal at S.E. 15th Street and Meridian Avenue on Tuesday. It turns out that Lacie had found a home away from home at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Mariott Hotel.

"She was a very popular dog because she was so attractive," said the hotel manager.

Lacie wouldn't let anyone close enough to look at her tags, but hotel employees and tenants found a place in their heart for the lost dog.

"The hotel workers were feeding her leftover breakfast buffet," Kindley said.

Animal welfare officers had to tranquilize Lacie to find out her identity and quickly got her reunited with the McElvea family.

"They opened the door, and I said, 'Lacie' and she stood up," Gerry McElyea said.

The fact Lacie made it home after more than 100 days away from home, a major flood, and a hotel stay makes her story amazing to Kindley.

"It kind of gives everyone goose bumps and everybody gets teary-eyed," Kindley said.

Gerry and Tajuanna McElyea said they never lost hope because you can't lose faith in family.

"We put many a miles on our truck and many miles on our feet. I'm glad she is home," Gerry McElyea said.

Both the couple and animal welfare workers said the happy ending happened because Lacie had tags on.

The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter is offering free ID tags for pets. Any Oklahoma City resident can go and get free tags for as many pets as they have. The program is available seven days a week. The hours for the free tags are from noon to 5:45 p.m.

Learn more about the free ID tags and the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter