NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT) – Hemi the cat is finally heading home, more than 2000 miles away to Bismarck North Dakota.

“Before I had kids, the only thing I could connect to was a cat,” said Hemi’s owner, Robert Connell.

This time last week, Hemi the Cat was found by Craven Pamlico Animal Services at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

Monday he was reunited with his owner, Robert Connell.

“Geez, you look a little older and wiser,” Connell told Hemi when he first saw him.

Connell’s wife Jennifer says when Robert previously deployed; Hemi went looking for him and never returned home.

After months of searching, the Connell’s moved to North Dakota without their beloved pet.

But Robert says hemi was more than just a cat to him, he was like a person, who could listen to some of his deepest thoughts as he struggled with PTSD.

“I never knew a cat would get attached to me, or I get attached to it.”

Hemi was expected to fly to his new home in Bismarck North Dakota this week, but due to the recent snow storm thousands of flights were cancelled, including Hemi’s; meaning it would take a little longer for him to make it home.

But, that wasn’t acceptable for Robert. He decided Friday evening he would drive to New Bern to pick up his furry feline.

He believes Hemi is more than excited to go home.

“Alright take me to the life of being pampered now,” said Connell when mentioning what Hemi probably was thinking.

The Connell’s told WNCT last week they had been planning to move into a new home in the coming months, but now feel like they’re family is finally complete.

“Hey I got some good news for you Hemi, we got a place lined up, in two months we’re going to have a nice big yard,” said Connell. “You ready to go home? You ready to go home?”

Hemi was found by Craven Pamlico Animal Services through a microchip. They urge all pet owners to microchip their furry friends just in case they go missing, like Hemi.