NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. -- A dog that was missing for nearly two years and traveled more than 750 miles is now back with her family.

Princess, a 9-year-old pooch, was picked up as a stray on the side of the road in New Hanover County several days ago.

The Animal Service Unit scanned Princess for a microchip which led them back to her family in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The family says they had trouble believing the dog was theirs, because they had never been to North Carolina.

But after seeing pictures, their grandfather made the drive to Wilmington for the sweet reunion Friday morning.

 “I love my dogs, they're just like my kids. But I love her, look at her. She looks like she remembers me. It's just amazing. She knows she’s going home. But yeah, it's very emotional,” said Georgia resident Gelson Cardoso.

Cardoso says Princess will stay with him until his granddaughters get out of school for spring break to pick her up.