Having your dog run away is one of the worst feelings in the world. However, a 14-year-old boy was able to experience the pure joy of getting your dog back—just in time for the holidays.

As TIME reports, Piper is a black pug who went missing in November after April Elizabeth Licata let her outside for a potty break. When Licata went back out to call Piper back, the dog was gone. Her son Carter was devastated. As the title suggests, though, the story has a happy ending.

Genesee County Animal Shelter in New York was sheltering Piper after someone found her. Licata picked up her dog and gave Carter the best Christmas present he’s probably received so far, surprising him after school. Watch the emotional video below.

“My son loves his dog so much, was sick while she was gone, and tonite she’s sleeping next to him again,” Licata wrote in the Facebook post. “What a Christmas miracle for our family and thank you to everyone who helped bring Piper home.”

Looking for your own pet this holiday season? Check out our Adopt a Pet section.

Photo credit: Twitter