For every dog owner, the thought of losing a beloved companion is heartbreaking.
Recently, Angel Santiago, a blind man from Chicago, Illinois, lived through that pain when his fourteen-year-old service dog, Bam Bam, was stolen from his yard.
Santiago was devastated to lose his closest friend and life partner. Determined to bring him home, he refused to give up hope and did everything in his power to find him.
The Long Search For Bam Bam
According to a GoFundMe account, Santiago walked seven miles each day searching for Bam Bam.
He handed out flyers throughout his neighborhood, praying that someone would recognize his dog and help reunite them.
Despite the passing months, Santiago never stopped believing that he would see Bam Bam again. The bond they shared kept him going.
“He is my world. He is my heart. He helped me in so many ways,” Santiago told NBC 5 Chicago.
Desperate for help, he turned to his community.
“Let your eyes be mine and look out for Bam Bam for me, please. I beg of you to help me,” Santiago, who suffers from glaucoma, said via GoFundMe.
His friend, Amy Pasalich, organized a fundraiser to help cover the costs of hiring pet detectives, offering a reward, printing flyers, and coordinating volunteer searches.
As Santiago’s story spread across social media, people everywhere began sharing his plea. Then, the miracle he had been praying for finally happened.
According to the Chicago Tribune, a man and a woman brought Bam Bam to the 16th District police station on August 19, 2025.
When Santiago received the news, he could hardly contain his excitement. His faithful companion had been found safe and was waiting for him.
The moment the two were reunited was filled with tears of joy. Santiago hugged Bam Bam tightly, overcome with emotion after three long months apart.
A Safe Return And A New Beginning
The GoFundMe organizer later expressed gratitude to everyone who helped make the reunion possible.
“Out of respect for their privacy, we won’t be sharing every detail, but what matters most is that Angel and Bam Bam are safe and together again,” Pasalich said in an update posted on August 20.
According to PETA, based on available information, two unidentified men had stolen Bam Bam from Santiago’s backyard.
When the dog began barking, Santiago was alerted and tried to intervene, even grabbing one of the suspects, but they managed to escape. Authorities are still investigating the case.
Bam Bam is now receiving medical care and is on the road to recovery. With time, he is expected to heal and once again enjoy a peaceful life alongside the man who never stopped searching for him.