What started as a dream cross-country move turned into years of heartbreak—but ended in a reunion this family says still doesn’t feel real.
Annie Rosales and Chris Rosales were traveling from San Francisco to New York City back in 2023, starting a new chapter with their daughter, two cats, and a baby on the way.
One of their favorite stops along the journey was Yellowstone National Park—a place they described as beautiful and unforgettable.
But shortly after leaving Wyoming, their trip took a devastating turn.
Their beloved cat Lily suddenly vanished.
“She was like our first baby,” Chris said. “We were pretty obsessed with her.”
The couple stayed behind to search, hoping they’d find her before continuing the trip. But after an extra day with no luck, they were forced to move on without her.
“It was so hard leaving,” Annie said.
Still, they never gave up hope.
Months turned into years, and their chances seemed to fade—especially after the friends they had stayed with in Wyoming moved away. Then, nearly three years later, something incredible happened.
A Wyoming couple, Jack Deal and Rebecca Deal, reached out with a message that would change everything.
They believed they had found Lily.
The couple had been feeding stray cats near their home when they noticed one with a tight collar. After finally managing to get close enough, they were able to read the information and track down the Rosales family.
As soon as Chris saw a photo, he knew instantly—it was her.
“They thought it was just a lost local cat,” he said. “They weren’t expecting us to be all the way in New York still missing her after all that time.”
When the news came through, the family was overwhelmed.
“We were hysterical—laughing and crying at the same time,” Annie said.
She quickly booked a flight back to Wyoming, not wasting a second.
When she finally saw Lily again, it was an emotional moment none of them will ever forget.
“They picked me up at the airport with Lily in the car,” Annie said. “All of us were crying. It just felt unreal.”
And Lily?
“She was rubbing up against me and purring. It was so amazing.”