Long-lost Yorkie jets home from Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - After four years away from his family in New Orleans, a little Yorkie named Sam is home.

In 2011, the Lambert family said he disappeared from his yard there. Almost two weeks ago, Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control got a call about a loose dog on the city's northeast side. A scan of his microchip revealed his family's contact information in Louisiana.

Donielle Lambert said the phone call came as a shock to the family.

'We thought he was gone,” she said. She cried when Michelle Johnson of Animal Care and Control called her to tell her the news.

The dog was a gift to her oldest daughter, Karisa, on her fourth birthday. Now almost 15, she, her sister Taelyn and her parents were thrilled Sam was found.

The 10-year-old dog was in rough condition. He was matted and dirty, had a skin rash and needed dental work.

'His teeth were in horrible, horrible condition due to a lack of care,” said Diane Webber, program manager for Animal Care and Control. 'We've got him all groomed up and we've got him medicated baths and we got him a dental and we had blood work done and he's just raring to go.”

Donielle Lambert's husband, Thomas, recently had back surgery and is out of work. The family couldn't afford a plane ticket to bring Sam home. After hearing the story, United Airlines donated a first-class ticket for Johnson to escort Sam to New Orleans.

The Lambert family was at the airport for Sam's arrival.

Webber said this is a perfect example of the importance of microchips. She says the Lambert family continued to update their contact information in case Sam was found.

Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control is hosting a rabies and microchipping clinic from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the shelter.