"It's the craziest thing that's ever happened to me." Watch unbelievable return of decade-lost cat

It's a tale almost too far-fetched to be true. The cat came back ... eleven years later!

"He's a survivor," marveled Jennifer Ravenel, clutching her beloved cat Sam in her arms. More than a decade ago, a dog spooked Sam and he bolted. Ravenel scoured the woods and asked neighbors and friends if anyone had seen him, but no such luck. "I haven't held a cat since he left, eleven years. Because it broke my heart," said Ravenel.

Watch this cat return home after over a decade missing.

Then, over a decade later, she got a call from Charleston Animal Society that floored her. They finally found her long-lost friend. Someone caught Sam wandering not far from Ravenel's home and reported him as a stray. When he was brought into the shelter, they were able to identify who he belonged to thanks to a microchip.

"Things like this don't happen all the time," said Ravenel. "To feel his little heartbeat in there...It's the craziest thing that's ever happened to me!"

After the astonishing reunion, Ravenel took Sam home where he's safe and sound. Sticking close to Ravenel, Sam is slowly gaining back weight and enjoying the comfortable life he no doubt missed the last eleven years.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: "It's the craziest thing that's ever happened to me." Watch unbelievable return of decade-lost cat