Little Pug Lost for 3 Years Reunited With Family

A cop who found a pug tied to a pole in Chicago this week helped the dog find its family — who lost him more than three years ago.

The 8-year-old dog was spotted Monday in 7300 block of North Clark Street in Chicago's Rogers Park community. The officer saw the dog had been tied to the tree for hours, so he took the dog to Felines & Canines in the 6300 block of North Paulina Street.

A tracking chip allowed the pet adoption center to trace the dog — named Prince Charming — to another pet clinic, where police were able to identify the owner.

Turns out, Prince Charming got loose and disappeared three years ago, in April 2011, on the West Side. His owner, Cristina Parrilla, later moved to Maryland, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Paula Grabow at Felines & Canines called Parrilla and let her know the dog finally had been found. No one has a clue where he's been the last few years. Parrilla's mother, Linda Rivera, came to the shelter to get Prince Charming — and boy was he excited.

Prince Charming is something of an escape artist, according to Rivera, having run away a few times, including once in 2009 when he was gone for eight months. His microchip, then as now, eventually got him back home.

Rivera is now on the road, taking the dog to her daughter.