On June 5, the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago was shaken when a 14-year-old dachshund named Bam Bam was stolen from a backyard. The elderly pup wasnโt just any dogโhe was a beloved service dog for Angel Santiago, who is legally blind due to glaucoma. Santiago, now faced with the terrifying reality of losing his trusted companion, immediately set out to find Bam Bam, walking seven miles every day while distributing flyers and rallying community support.
โChicagoland people, please keep an eye out for Bam Bam,โ wrote Amy Pasalich, Santiagoโs friend and advocate, on a GoFundMe page dedicated to the search. The page has since raised over $20,000, illustrating the outpouring of support from locals and animal lovers alike. โTo anyone who considers donating, Mister Rogers’ mom said it best: When there are scary things in the news, โlook for the helpers.โ Letโs be helpers!โ
Santiago personally appeared on multiple local and national news outlets, imploring the public, โLet your eyes be mine and look out for Bam Bam for me, please. I beg of you to help me.โ The story quickly gained widespread attention, highlighting not only the bond between Santiago and his service dog but also the importance of microchipping pets and community vigilance.
For 72 agonizing days, Bam Bamโs whereabouts remained unknown. The search included thousands of flyers, social media posts, and community alerts. In addition, a reward of up to $6,000 was offered for the safe return of the dachshund, with PETA contributing $5,000 to the effort. The case captured the hearts of Chicago residents and animal lovers worldwide, keeping hope alive for Santiagoโs reunion with his loyal companion.
Finally, on Tuesday, August 20, a breakthrough came. John Garrido, a former police officer and founder of the Garrido Stray Rescue Foundation, received word that two individuals had dropped off a dog at the 16th District Chicago Police Department. Initially, the foundation shared information as they would with any rescued dog, unaware that this dachshund was the same missing service dog whose disappearance had captured national attention.
After confirming Bam Bamโs identity via microchip, Garrido shared the heartwarming news: โThe entire city has been searching for this dog. He is safe and sound. โฆ I am told it was a happy reunion.โ
The emotional reunion took place on the evening of August 19. Santiago and Bam Bam were finally back together, safe and unharmed. Pasalich took to social media to share the long-awaited update: โAfter a long and emotional nearly three months, Angel has finally been reunited with Bam Bam. The reunion took place on the evening of August 19th, and both are now safely back together. Out of respect for their privacy, we wonโt be sharing every detail, but what matters most is that Angel and Bam Bam are safe and together again.โ
The news sparked an overwhelming response online, with supporters celebrating the reunion from across the globe. โFinally, some happy news being shared,โ one person commented on an ABC 7 Chicago headline. Others noted the emotional impact of the story reaching far beyond Chicago. โThis has reached Greece,โ wrote a social media user after NBC Chicago posted the update on TikTok. โItโs 5 a.m. and Iโm crying for these two.โ
PETA joined in the celebration, updating reward billboards across the city to thank everyone who contributed to Bam Bamโs safe return. The organization also sent a โWelcome Homeโ basket filled with toys and treats for the beloved dachshund. โWorking for this reunion brought out the best in the community, and it reminds us all to never be silent,โ PETA said. โSpeaking up when an animal is in danger can save a life.โ
This heartwarming story not only highlights the extraordinary bond between a service dog and his owner but also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community, advocacy, and microchipping pets. Bam Bamโs safe return demonstrates how collective effort and compassion can bring about a happy ending even in the most difficult circumstances. Santiago and Bam Bam are now back home, reunited, and safeโa true testament to hope, perseverance, and the dedication of a community that refused to give up.