Beloved Family Dog Returns 4 Yrs. After Being Taken
Thursday August 9, 2007
CityNews.ca Staff (Toronto, Ontario)
Note: Video link here....
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_13623.aspx
"Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone?
Oh where, oh where can he be?"
You can't blame Maria Rocha's family if they were singing that song. But unlike that tragic tune, this ditty has a happy ending that could set tails wagging. It started in March 2003 when Rocha's Yorkshire terrier got out of her backyard after chasing a cat.
Anyone who's ever had a dog knows the fear of the animal running without a leash near traffic. So when the family chased after it, they were praying they'd catch the seven-year-old pooch. But that's when the animal had an encounter with a car no one was expecting. The Rochas watched in horror as a vehicle stopped, its door opened and the dog jumped in. The car then sped away before anyone could see a license number. The next few days were a blur for the family, who put up lost dog posters, called the pound and prayed for a miracle.
Little did they know it would be a long time coming. After waiting days for any sign of their beloved pet, the Rochas resigned themselves that their best friend was gone for good. Time passed, and the family eventually moved away from the home with so many bittersweet memories.
And then one day earlier this year - to her astonishment - Maria's phone rang. It was her former neighbour with incredible news: her dog had mysteriously and suddenly turned up on her old doorstep. It had been four long years since she'd last been seen. "An older lady was actually gardening and found her in the backyard," Rocha recalls. "Where she's been for the last four years we have absolutely no idea ... I'm just very happy that she's back."
How can she be sure it's the same dog? Owners just know. But there's other surefire proof. "She has the same harness on she's had since she was a pup. She has the same tag on. She recognized me instantly. It was like she had never been away. I was in tears."
The only signs of wear and tear? A broken paw and a cataract in her right eye. Maria, who now lives in Thornhill, has already spent $1,500 on treating Jasmine's complaints. The dog will be 12 in September and vets expect she has still has a few good years ahead of her. Maria doesn't intend to be separated from her anytime soon - and when it comes to ensuring her little miracle stays healthy, money is no object.
What should you do if your furry friend goes missing? Find some suggestions you might not have thought of here.
Microchipping your pet can also work miracles. Find out more about the process here.
Toronto Humane Society Lost Pets