Joining the thread late and glad to read you are keeping him
My take? Maybe the previous "owners" didn't want to find him! Since you live in a small town, they couldn't have missed the notices you put up. If they wanted him back, trust me, they would have come knocking. Everything happens for a reason - previous owners didn't want him and you did so God sent him to you where He knew you'd provide unconditional love and spoil him to the ends of the earth. The poor baby has had enough abuse, time for the loving!!