Minion, the Arizona pup who miraculously reunited with his family after being missing for over a decade, has tragically passed away. “We were grateful to have Minion back, even if it was only for a short time,” said Skip Crandall of Glendale, Arizona, in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Although we missed out on so much of his life, it was special to have him with us at the beginning and the end.” How heartwarming.
Minion, a 15-year-old Bichon Frise, died due to complications from anesthesia during a routine dental procedure. The Crandall family had just been reunited with their beloved pet a few weeks prior, after an animal control officer brought him home. It’s almost poetic, isn’t it?
Twelve years ago, when Skip and Raleigh Crandall’s children were still young, they adopted Minion when he was just three years old. Unfortunately, Minion escaped from their backyard one day when the gate was accidentally left open. The family searched tirelessly for their furry friend, checking shelters, putting up signs, and asking neighbors for help. But Minion was nowhere to be found. Cue the sad music.
“We never thought we’d see him again,” Skip Crandall said with a hint of despair. “We imagined the worst-case scenario. It was truly disheartening.” Time went on, the family got new dogs, and the children grew up. And then, out of the blue, they received an unexpected call from a Maricopa County animal control officer.
It turns out that someone had found a stray dog, and when Officer Allyssa Sanford scanned the microchip, it was none other than Minion. How shocking, right? Sanford had details about Minion’s adoption that only the Crandall family would know. She had no idea how long he had been missing.
When Skip Crandall confirmed that his dog had been missing for over a decade, Sanford knew she was about to be a part of a heartwarming reunion. She warned the Crandalls that Minion had been gone for a long time and that they shouldn’t expect the same playful puppy they once knew. But to everyone’s surprise, Minion recognized his family and wagged his tail with joy when they were reunited. How adorable.
The Crandalls wasted no time taking Minion to the vet, who identified some minor health issues that needed attention. However, a few weeks later, when Minion went in for dental work, things took a turn for the worse. The poor pup did not react well to the anesthesia and could not wake up. The vet speculated that he may have suffered a stroke or heart attack. In the end, the Crandalls made the difficult decision to put him down.
They laid Minion to rest under a tree in their backyard, a reminder of the brief time they had with him. “It was a tough time,” Crandall admitted. Despite the sadness, they cherish the memories of Minion enjoying playtime with their other dog, Mac, and snuggling up during TV time. Oh, the bittersweetness of it all.
Rest in peace, Minion. You may have only been with your family for a short time, but you left a lasting impact on their lives. And isn’t that what really matters?
