Here’s something every devoted dog owner knows well: there’s almost nothing we wouldn’t do for our furry friends. We work hard to keep them happy, safe, and loved, no matter the circumstances.
So, when John Aguilar from San Antonio, Texas, got the call that his missing dog, Ghost, had been found, he didn’t hesitate for a second.
There was just one problem: John didn’t have a car available. His only option to reach his beloved dog quickly was a lawnmower. And that’s exactly what he chose to drive.
A Long Search for a Missing Friend
John had adopted Ghost, a now four-year-old Labradoodle, from a friend in Virginia, and it turned out to be one of the best choices he ever made. Ghost quickly became an irreplaceable part of the family, joining them in nearly every activity.
It was hard to picture a single day without him. That’s why, when Ghost suddenly went missing, the family was devastated.
The incident happened one morning when the family left a kitchen window slightly open before leaving for work. They didn’t realize that Ghost’s curiosity would get the better of him. He managed to climb onto the counter, push open the window, and slip outside.
When they returned home and discovered the empty house, panic set in. John immediately set out on foot to search, while the rest of the family drove through nearby streets, calling out his name and checking with neighbors.
Meanwhile, Ghost’s little adventure had taken him farther than anyone expected.
About a mile away, he wandered into a local automotive repair shop, where a man named Johnny Chavez spotted him. Recognizing that the friendly dog might be lost, Chavez contacted his friend Jenn White, a local rescuer, for help.
Together, they brought Ghost to a nearby veterinary clinic to check for a microchip. Fortunately, he had one, and soon, John received the call he had been desperately hoping for.
The Lawnmower Ride And Joyful Reunion
Jenn White and Johnny Chavez waited at the shop with Ghost, who had already relaxed in their company. What they didn’t expect, however, was the sight of John driving up on a lawnmower to retrieve his dog.
Without a car, John refused to let distance slow him down. Rather than walk the 20 minutes to get there, he hopped on his lawnmower and rode through the neighborhood to be reunited with Ghost.
“My family was out in our car in another part of town looking for him; it would have taken me 20 minutes to walk to get him, and I just wanted Ghost back as soon as I could,” John told The Dodo.
The scene warmed everyone’s hearts. Jenn White, who has worked in animal rescue for years, said she was moved by the pure love and determination John showed for his dog.
“Being a rescuer, you get so used to people not caring about animals, not wanting them back and not caring what happens to them. Then here’s this guy, he loves his dog, and it’s obvious. This is why we keep going,” White shared with The Dodo.
Once Ghost was safely back home, the entire Aguilar family celebrated his return with hugs, laughter, and plenty of excitement. The adventurous pup was back where he belonged, and clearly thrilled to be reunited with his favorite humans.
It was an unforgettable reunion, and John’s creative mode of transportation made it even more special. For Ghost, the sight of his dad arriving on a lawnmower was the happiest moment of all.
