Girl Reunites with Her Missing Dog After 90 Days—And the Moment Is Pure Emotion

Bento is a beloved mixed-breed dog who went missing for 90 days, leaving the family in distress—especially Luísa, his owner. After much effort and determination from friends and family, the pet was found, and Luísa’s reunion with Bento was deeply emotional.

The dog lived in Minas Gerais, Brazil. His disappearance led Luísa, her mother Cláudia, and the entire family to join forces in a large search effort—and thanks to their efforts, the little cutie was able to return home.

Luísa couldn’t have been happier. Through tears of relief and emotion, she cried profusely when, after three months, she could finally hold her beloved dog in her arms.

Bento’s Adoption

In an interview with Amo Meu Pet (our Brazilian website about pet news), Luísa said that the dog joined the family in 2017. She and her grandparents were walking when they found Bento passed out on the curb. Luísa even thought the little guy was dead, but when her grandmother approached, she realized he was still breathing.

The trio kept walking, but Luísa felt uneasy thinking of him, so she returned with water and kibble to feed him. She had no intention of adopting him, since she already had many dogs at home. However, she couldn’t leave him like that, so she asked for help from a local shelter.

The shelter helped by taking him to veterinary appointments and placing a doghouse on the street so the pup could take shelter. Luísa followed his progress closely. However, after installing the little house, as they were leaving, the dog stared at her and the volunteer with a sad expression. Luísa couldn’t resist and decided to adopt him.

In the first few days, Bento was withdrawn and didn’t interact much. But after a few weeks, he revealed his sweet and affectionate personality, bonding so deeply with Luísa that he followed her everywhere—even sleeping in the same bed.

Bento’s Disappearance

In 2019, Bento developed a disease that required his eyes to be removed. He also had to undergo knee surgery. During his recovery from eye surgery, and before undergoing knee surgery, he disappeared.

“It was heartbreaking—we spent the entire night and the following days searching for Bento,” she recalled. “We couldn’t understand how a blind dog with a patella problem could have disappeared like that.”

Days and months passed, and Luísa’s rational side feared the worst—that he had been hit by a car. But her faith kept hope alive, and she continued to imagine good things for her dog.

For three months, she lived with this emotional conflict—until the best happened! He was found nearly 4 miles from the family’s home, where he had gone missing.

“It was an explosion of emotions!” she said. “I thanked God so much, and I hugged Bento tightly.”

Watch the reunion below:

Bento’s Passing

One year after Bento’s disappearance, he passed away.

The little dog had many health problems, but thankfully he was found again—so he could spend his final days surrounded by the love and comfort of his family.

“I believe God gave me this opportunity so he could come back, and I could spend one more year with Bentinho—full of love, affection, and happy moments,” she said.

Bento was later diagnosed with spinal cancer that had already begun spreading throughout his body. Surgery was an option, but survival was unlikely. So his family made the heartbreaking decision to put him down to spare him from suffering.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have had Bento in my life. He was truly a hero—an angel. In my hardest moments, he was always by my side.”

Without a doubt, Bento lived a beautiful life with Luísa.