Microchip helps find lost dog -- two years later, 1,000 miles from home

Nika appeared at the front door of a home in Florida, more than 1,000 miles away from her home in New York.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Giuseppe DiBella's puppy Nika disappeared from his home in Newburgh, New York
• The tiny toy fox terrier turned up in Ocala, Florida, 2 years later
• Scan at animal clinic found her microchip number, which led to DiBella
• He made the 1,000-plus-mile journey to Florida this week to bring Nika home

(CNN) -- They've been man's best friend since the beginning of time.

And now, thanks to modern technology, two best friends are together again.

When Giuseppe DiBella's beloved 6-month-old puppy Nika disappeared from his home in Newburgh, New York, he immediately plastered countless fliers around town showing pictures of Nika as well as the toy fox terrier's microchip number.

But no luck ... time ticked on, and two years passed.

While DiBella may have been devastated, he says he "never gave up."

2013: Missing dog found 500 miles from home

2012: Cat from Hawaii found in Ohio

2012: Microchip reunites dog with family

In mid-September, the 3-pound pooch showed up at the front door of a home in Ocala, Florida, more than 1,000 miles away.

A neighbor brought the wayward dog to the animal clinic where she worked and had her scanned for a microchip.

That microchip led Marion County Animal Services to DiBella, and they emailed him with the news he'd been hoping for.

"I was so surprised when I realized it was in Florida," said DiBella. "I didn't even know where Marion County was."

DiBella made the trek to Florida this week to pick Nika up from a family friend who has been caring for her.

When CNN asked how his little pup could've made her way from New York to Florida, DiBella replied, "I have no idea."

Maybe the dog just wanted to be a snowbird.

But one thing is for sure -- Nika's is quite a tail to tell.