Sometimes cats get lost and struggle to find their way home. Such situations leave cat parents completely heartbroken, which was no different for this former marine, Robert Connell. 

However, after almost four years and 2,000 miles apart, Hemi the cat found the way back to his family. Robert decided to embark on this long journey and not even a snowstorm could stop him from reuniting with his beloved furry friend.

The moment Robert finally saw his long-lost friend, he got very emotional. Their touching reunion brought tears to everyone present, as Robert shared for WNCT:

“Before I had kids, the only thing I could connect to in life was a cat…”

Thanks to Craven-Pamlico Animal Services in New Bern, Hemi was rescued and reunited with his beloved owner. During their emotional reunion, Robert even joked with Hemi, saying:

“Jeez, you look a little older and wiser.”

His wife Jennifer revealed the reason behind Hemi’s disappearance. When Robert was previously deployed, Hemi went searching for him and, sadly, never returned.

They spent months and months searching for him, however it was all in vain. Eventually, the time came for them to move to North Dakota, leaving without Hemi.

However, Robert never gave up hope. To him, Hemi was more than just a cat. He was like a confidant, someone who would listen for hours as Robert shared his deepest thoughts, helping him cope with PTSD. As he expressed:

“I never knew a cat would get attached to me, or I’d get attached to him.”

Even though Hemi was supposed to fly back home in a few days, Robert chose to drive all the way to New Bern, North Carolina, to personally pick up his cherished Hemi.

Craven-Pamlico Animal Services located Hemi’s owners through a microchip and strongly encourage all pet owners to microchip their pets. As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.