Family Reunites with Lost German Shepherd After 6 Years Apart: ‘Our Family Was Made Whole Again’ 

Firefighters in Florida rescued a lost dog that had fallen into a canal — and later returned her to her family after being missing for six years.

The German shepherd, named Bella, was seen wandering a neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale. The local fire department responded to a 911 call about her falling into a canal on Aug. 5.

Frank Guzman, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue’s public information officer, told PEOPLE, “Our crew from Engine 47 went to the scene and safely pulled her from the water. Luckily, she was standing on a ledge and only partially submerged, which made it easier to rescue her.”

“After bringing Bella to the firehouse, she was given food and water and allowed to rest,” Guzman added.

Dog reunites with its family after missing for 6 years

The police scanned Bella for a microchip and found one that had been implanted in 2018.

“After checking several databases, they discovered she had been adopted from Broward Animal Care and Adoption,” Guzman said.

Bella was adopted by the Nicholson family, who live in St. Cloud, nearly 200 miles from Fort Lauderdale.

“[The family says] a few years after adopting Bella, they had a house fire and had to move into a hotel. They couldn’t bring Bella, so they gave her to a friend, who then gave her away without permission,” Guzman explained.

“They thought they had lost her forever. Later, they moved to central Florida, where they live now,” he added.

Dog reunites with its family after missing for 6 years

The Nicholson family drove almost four hours to Fort Lauderdale to be reunited with Bella at a local park. Bella recognized them right away and happily returned to her forever home.

Lisa Nicholson, along with her husband Jason and daughters Jaylianna, 11, and Liberty, 18, went to pick her up.

“Hugging Bella again felt like our family was whole again — like seeing a long-lost friend,” Lisa told PEOPLE.

She added, “We had a welcome party with dog treats and new toys. We gave her a steak, and she loved it! She also got a new dog bed.”