A tiny Border Terrier who disappeared in the UK when she was a puppy has been miraculously reunited with her owner – a whopping 12 years later.
Liz Eldridge, 51, had bought the puppy, named Missie, as a birthday present for her son Oscar, but the dog suddenly disappeared from her Hertfordshire home in February 2011.
The mother spent the next eight years searching across the country for possible leads to find her beloved pooch.
Eldridge, who works for Britain’s National Health Service, finally gave up hope and resigned herself to the fact that Missie had likely been stolen.
But her luck changed last week when she was told Missie had been found and traced back to her via a microchip ID implant.
The overwhelmed owner said a member of the public found the missing dog and turned him over to animal control services.
“It was a mixture of pure joy but also sadness… As Missie was in a terrible state,” Eldridge said of reuniting with her pet.
Liz Eldridge, pictured with Missie after their reunion, said she spent eight years searching the country for her. jam press
Eldridge had bought Missie as a birthday present for her son when she was a puppy. jam press
Eldridge said Missie was in “a terrible state” when she finally returned last week but was already on the mend. jam press
“She was obviously used for breeding all the time and was very nervous and anxious. We believe she was held by a chain and beaten.”
“Every time I went to put on a leash, she was so scared,” she added.
After being cared for for a week, Eldridge said Missie was already showing signs of improvement.
“Her tail is starting to wag and hopefully she’s starting to realize that she’s back home safe and sound,” she said.
With mail wires